Today is Saturday, 1/03/2026. Monday, January 5th is the Sikh, Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the tenth and last living prophet of the Sikhs (1666 – 1708). Tuesday, January 6th is the Catholic celebration feast of the Epiphany, the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. It also celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the Magi (wise men). Wednesday, January 7th is when the Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
Quote of the week: “My family didn’t have money, and I think it made me fearless. I’m willing to try everything and not be afraid because what’s the worst that can happen? It might not work out, but I can’t be worse off than when I was a kid.” Cristela Alonzo born January 6, 1979 – present, American comedian and actress.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Cristela Alonzo born January 6, 1979 – present, American comedian and actress.
https://www.cristelaalonzo.com/
Attention; New Half Day ERG program: Below you will find a link to a 90 second video message from the CEO of a private company in the Rochester area introducing an ERG Exploring Racism Group special half-day seminar on Thursday, January 15. Please talk to and share with friends, colleagues and relatives requesting that they consider attendance. https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aGqFQKLakBFEkpdLWnMQUvlY0wTw5Cq/view?usp=sharing
To register, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3og5iNzdUz9qoG2e45FRliVE9l1WfEMR70DVVbGTRJW41Mw/viewform?usp=header
EVENTS
1. Action for a Better Community’s Signature Event will take place with virtual sessions on January 8th and 15th and awards breakfast on January 22nd. See below for details.
2. Shannon Regelsberger shares the Urban Leagues Virtual Speaker series will be Jan. 9, 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Zoom, Illegal, Immoral, or Both: ICE in the Trump Era, Don Thompson, Esq., flyer attached
3. Frank Staropoli shares that the Pittsford CommUNITY is pleased to announce: The Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Series. The 2026 series will kick off with the Mobile Museum of Tolerance showing short films and having a discussion on Thursday January 14th 7-9pm. The next week we will have a Spoken Word Performance followed by an open mic/poetry slam Thursday January 21 7-9pm. The series concludes with an interfaith service on Sunday January 25th from 3-5pm. All events are free and open to the public. ASL interpreting will be provided. See flyer below:
4. RIT is hosting “Let Freedom Ring” on MLK Day with keynote speaker Nickesia Gordan on January, 19, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Ingle Auditorium. See below for details and registration.
https://www.rit.edu/events/let-freedom-ring-4
5. Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission will host its 2026 commemoration on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Eastman Theater. More information to follow.
6. Kyle Palmer shares that the film “Being Black in America: Discussion & Collective Action” will be shown at the Legacy Drama House, January 19 at 3:00 PM. This is a free event, but you must register in order to be admitted.
7. Nazareth University is holding its “King for a Day” community service day as well as other events starting January 19. See below for details.
https://www2.naz.edu/culture-community-belonging/mlk-day-celebration
8. RIT is holding its annual “Expressions of King’s Legacy” with keynote speaker Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the RIT Gordon Field House. Please see below for details and to register.
https://share.google/HRSUWzSluEt68eigD
9. The University of Rochester, Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address with keynote speaker Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign held Thursday, January 29, 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 pm in the Strong Auditorium at 417 Alumni Rd. See below for more information and to register.
https://www.rochester.edu/oee/martin-luther-king-jr-commemorative-address/
https://events.rochester.edu/event/mlk-address-2026
10. George Yeadon shares this information on a number of programs offered by America’s Town Hall. We suggest the The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality offered on Monday, February 2, 1 p.m. ET. See below for this one and others.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
11. RMAPI, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative asks your help in spreading awareness about their ‘Our Voices, Our Power’ initiative through your network. Critical safety net programs are at risk, please see the link below and sign up to receive the “stories” of impact and other information.
12. We share Heather Cox Richardson’s ‘Letters from an American’ from December 28 sharing an aspect of racism and genocide in America.
13. Bill Wynne provides his sixth essay from the Declaration of Independence series. The one is titled ‘Safety and Happiness’. Find it at the link below.
14. We do share differing views when we come across them. Here is one item by a Black woman calling out her people. While we believe that she is missing many key factors from her argument. There are many points in the next item, #15a that counters her arguments.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1A9L5tApRc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
15. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “October 14: A Betrayal in the Name of Remembrance“ by Bishop Talbert Swan: https://medium.com/@TalbertSwan/october-14-a-betrayal-in-the-name-of-remembrance-acb3cede45c5
b. “America has Redefined Lynchings Out of Existence“ by William Spivey:
https://williamspivey.medium.com/america-has-redefined-lynchings-out-of-existence-fea2af2a7a18
c. “How Would History Have Been Different Without the Black Press?“ by William Spivey:
16. Here is one article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. ‘Liberty, Slavery, and the Long Fight for an American Conscience’
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/liberty-slavery-and-the-long-fight-for-an-american-conscience
17. There are 2 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. White men urged to file discrimination claims.
b. Trump administration opens DEI investigations
OPPORTUNITIES: We share opportunities to get involved in addressing some of the communities challenges. Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
18. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. It is not too early to consider and apply. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/scholarships
19. The Rochester Area Community Foundations Scholarship Program is now open. Check out the link below for Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation
https://www.racf.org/scholarships/search-for-scholarships/
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
20. Support the Black Community by supporting their businesses. Please share Black businesses you support and value. A good resource is “Black Owned in Rochester”
Black Owned Businesses Rochester NY Black-Owned In Rochester (blackownedinrochester.com)
21. Want to kick start your business in 2026? Check out the business consulting services of AIOPX. See link below:
AIOPX – Business Consulting Rochester NY Reviews – Black-Owned In Rochester
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!