Today is Saturday, January 13. This day, Maghi the Hindu feastival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India.. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 14 is Orthodox New Year the beginning of the Julian calendar. Monday, January 15 is the national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. It is also the actual birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
Quote of the Week:
“Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968.
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolitionist/Leader for this week: Harvey Gantt, architect and politician. Mr. Gantt was the first African American student admitted to Clemson University and the first African American Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina in addition to establishing a successful architectural studio. See the links below.
Harvey Bernard Gantt (1943- ) • (blackpast.org)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Gantt
EVENTS:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. ABC’s 2024 Signature Conference Series – Beyond Trauma…A Journey to Wellness, started January 11 and continues January 18 & 25. It is not too late to take part in the program. See details below.
2. Our friend, Nanette Massey is hosting a 3 part program titled “Reckoning With Racism for Nurses” with two hour sessions over three Saturdays; January 13, 20, and 27. See updated details with video introduction below.
The video message can best be viewed here:
3. The Webster FIRE organization shares information on a program by the Antiracist Curriculum project scheduled for today, Saturday, January 13 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
4. Shanique Byrd, Tocsin Magazine reminded us of the Black Cinema Series at the Little Theatre. The next film is shown today, Saturday, January 13 at 7:00 PM. See below.
American Fiction (with discussion) – Jan. 13 | The Little Theatre
5. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday is Monday, January 15. The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s 2024 program is listed below.
6. The Rochester Museum & Science Center has a series of family friendly events on Monday, January 15;
a. MLK and Changemakers; make buttons and patches with quotes from King.
b. In His Words (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.): Listen and watch important and notable speeches by King in the Bausch Auditorium.
c. Storytime (12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.): Listen to stories about activists and trailblazers taht changed the world!
Learn more atvallevents.in/ mobile/ amp-event.php?event_id=200025965754729
7. The MLK Jr. “Living the Dream” series takes place in Pittsford at the United Church of Pittsford with 4 different dates in January. See link below for information.
https://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/content/mlk-living-dream-series-building-coalition-love
8. Bill Wynne, author of “Understanding and Combating Racism” shares his personal anti-racism journey at the Pittsford Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, January 17 at 6:30 PM.
9. Laurie Mahoney suggests registering for the Partnership for Faith-Based Housing & Community Development’s Open House
10. University of Rochester: Rachel Swarns, journalist, author, and an associate professor of journalism at New York University, will deliver the University’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address on Friday, January 19. The event is free and open to the public.
11. RIT’s 42nd Expressions of King’s Legacy program featuring keynote Dr. Ibram X. Kendi on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. To register, see below.
Expressions of King’s Legacy | Diversity and Inclusion | RIT
12. There will be a Town Hall Meeting – “Intersectionality of Poverty in Rochester” tentatively scheduled for February 9, 2024, interested stakeholders please contact Jalil Muntaqim at the link below:
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
13. We provide a piece from today’s D&C with a message from the Urban League of Rochester.
a. Rochester man is forced out of ambulance and left out on sidewalk; later dies.
b. The Urban League of Rochester’s plea to the community.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/dhs-expanding-access-to-community-13716048?e=467ab56fd4
14. Laurie Mahoney shares this opinion piece from the NY Times about investing in a home in Detroit.
Opinion Today: Why I bought a fixer-upper with my cousin in Detroit (nytimes.com)
15. Richard Yates recommends the book on the topic of mass incarceration The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. We have added it to our Recommended Books list found on our website “Resources” page.
16. We share one item from the latest edition of the CNN Newsletter Race Deconstructed this week, there are two more at “racedeconstructed@newsletters.cnn.com”.:
DEI efforts are under siege. Here’s what experts say is at stake
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/07/us/dei-attacks-experts-warn-of-consequences-reaj
17. One article is provided below from last week’s Beacon; “Artists sought to work on creative economy plan”. The city of Rochester and Monroe County are looking for individuals from underrepresented and underserved communities to serve on an engagement team.
18. This latest article from the Pink Elephant Newsletter by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare; the “3 Reasons Why Mark Cuban is Right About DEI”.
(10) 3 Reasons Why Mark Cuban Is Right About DEI | LinkedIn
19. Alan Ziegler shared this article that we should consider, “Learn how to apologize better”.
20. Only 2 articles (in addition to item #12) that deals with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. RCSD ponders next steps for East-UR agreement (What can RCSD learn and adopt from the East-UR agreement).
b. Tenn. man who marched with MLK dies (Fought the humilation and indignities that a Black sanitation worker experienced at the time).
OPPORTUNITIES:
21. Jennifer Suppe shares information on the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards. See information at the link below:
22. Joseph Searles shares information on the 2024 Ibero American Action League Scholarhip program. See below.
23. The Community Foundation (RACF) provides scholarships and awards helping students achieve their goals in education and life. Check out the link below.
Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation (racf.org)
Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
24. 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)
25. It is not too early to get ready for Valetnie’s Day. Black Owned in Rochester provides all the information you need for a great day. Check them out at the link below.
That is all for this week!
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon Fridays.