Today is Saturday, February 8. February is Black History Month. Black History month, orginally known as African American History Month began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora in the United States. The 2025 Black History Month Theme is “African Americans and Labor.” for more information go to https://asalh.org/ For information on Black History Month programs offered by the Smithsonian Institute, the City of Rochester and Free the People Rochester can be found at this link: https://exploringracism.org/2025-black-history-month-programs/
Quote of the Week: “I like to focus on stories that need to be told and are not told enough. When I get bit by that bug, and the story is saying, ‘You must tell me,’ I then go through a process which is often painful and arduous, and long – and joyful! – of submitting to the story until I prove a worthy enough vessel to get it out.” Danai Gurira born February 14, 1978 – present; award-winning Zimbabwean-American actor, playwright, and activist.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Danai Gurira born February 14, 1978 – present; award-winning Zimbabwean-American actor, playwright, and activist.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Danai-Gurira
Special Message: ERG avoids making politcal statements or taking political positions but as we have experienced these past few weeks there have been the threat of loss of Federal funding or contracts for organizations that support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) or take anti-racism stances. The essence of ERG is anti-racism and we strongly support DEI principles. We encourage all that have taken part in the ERG program or receive and read this newsletter to support DEI and work to tear down the structure of racism that exists in our community and country. Although we are a volunteer organization with no staff and few volunteers we would attempt to assist you with your questions, concerns and efforts. Please contact us through a submission to the ERG website (https://exploringracism.org/contact-us/).
EVENTS
1. The Rochester Museum and Science Center is holding it’s Black History month programming today, February 8 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. See link below for details.
2. Norma Holland informed us that the Tana Grady Weliky Annual Lecture, which celebrates inclusion and excellence in medicine. The event will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 5pm in the Class of ’62 Auditorium. For details see the link below:
3. Chris Cooley and Compeer are providing a Comic Workshop for people ages 13 – 21 accompanied by a mentor/guardian on February 22 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Compeer Rochester at 259 Monroe Ave, Rochester. Please RSVP by 2/8 to erizzo@compeerrochester.org or 585-601-4222. The flyer for the program is included below. See item #17 under OPPORTUNITES for more information on this program.
4. The Person Centered Housing Options announces there will be a screening of the film “No Address” at AMC Webster: 2190 Empire Blvd Webster, NY 14580, on Thursday, February 27th at 5:00 PM – 8:15 PM
PERSON CENTERED HOUSING OPTIONS – Screening of “No Address” at AMC Webster
5. Melanie Russo shares that there will be a retreat-style event for Black men in Rochester, scheduled for Friday, February 28th, 2025, at the MCC Forward Center. This collaborative effort between RMAPI, the City of Rochester, Action for a Better Community and others, will empower Black men in their job search through confidence-building, strength discovery, skill enhancement, access to emerging career opportunities and more. See information below and item #18 in the OPPORTUNITIES section for more information.
6. Registration is now open for the fourth annual Antiracist Education Conference, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1. It’s completely free and will be held via Zoom. See below for information on the Keynote speaker and to register.
2025 Antiracist Education Conference
7. The Gamma Iota Boule’ Foundation, Inc presents the Morehouse College Glee Club performing at the Asbury First Church, 1050 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607, Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 PM. General admission at the door is $25, students under 18 with ID $10. Contact Bill Davis @585-266-4500 for tickets.
8. The Jewish Federation, Jewish Life Adult program presents ‘Antisemitism: Understanding It in History and Today’ on Monday, March 17 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the JCC of Greater Rochester, Inc., 1200 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. See link to more information and registration below.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
9. Here is an important article published in the Minority Reporter this week. ‘The Meritocracy Myth: Why DEI Matters in a Fair Society’.
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/the-meritocracy-myth-why-dei-matters-in-a-fair-society
10. For those that concerned about the disruption to refugee resettlement and representation programs please find the Refugee and Immigration Newsletter newsletter from the Catholic Charities Family & Community Services below. Please share with others.
11. Linsday Phillips shared a series of articles on music genres from the Spark, many deal with the Black experience. We recommended one last week and another this week at the link immediately below, ‘Music Through the Eras of Abolition, Emancipation, Segregation, The Dream and BLM’. You will find all the articles at the link below that.
Freedom and Exploration Across Music Genres
12. Liz Brown shares a piece that highlights the ‘Inauguration Hope Reigniting the Dream – Our Continuing Call’ held on the MLK Birthday and Inauguration Day. Find the blog and the link to a recording of the program at the link below.
https://www.pachapeopleroc.org/post/inaugurating-hope-reigniting-the-dream-our-continuing-call
13. John Engels shares this piece that may help us think about genetics and race from a different perspective. See link below.
Why There Will Not Be a Beige Future
14. The Urban League of Rochester provides information on important dates in Black History and their 60th Anniversary Celebration:
Stepping into Black History Month
15. Bill Wynne provided his monthly update for February. Find it below. Please note: Bill’s opening statement ‘I am Glad Trump Won the Election!’ is meant to be attention grabbing but does not represent his position. I can tell you from personal experience from the many emails sent me and many others during and post election that Bill in Glad and is working to undue the harm this president is causing.
16. There are 4 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. ORUM’S DOULA SERVICES AIM TO SUPPORT WOMEN
b. Anti-DEI push spreads across sectors
c. Death spurs demand for justice (will the death of Robert Brooks bring about change?).
d. Disabled workers fear for jobs after Trump remarks.
OPPORTUNITIES: Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
17. Chris Cooley and Compeer are looking for adults who are considering mentoring youth. The two organizations are providing a Comic Making Workshop on February 22 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Compeer Rochester at 259 Monroe Ave, Rochester. Please RSVP by 2/8 to erizzo@compeerrochester.org or 585-601-4222.
The purpose of this event is to provide an experience where potential mentors can connect with youth and share stories about their lives in a fun, comic format. Ideally adult mentors who participate will consider becoming a mentor with Compeer (but no long term commitment is required). See flyer listed as item #3 above in the EVENTS section
18. Interested in supporting Black Men in the Rochester area community? See program listed as item #5 above in the EVENTS section. Please read the following message:
Are you looking to be intentional about attracting and hiring talent from marginalized groups or those who have been historically excluded from the workforce? If so, I’d love to connect! Whether your focus is on individuals from re-entry populations, refugees, people with disabilities, or other historically excluded groups, we can work together to align your hiring strategies with available workforce development resources.
Please reach out to Melanie Russo at melanie.russo@greaterrochesterchamber.com
Let’s work together to create meaningful opportunities for all!
19. Stuart Mitchell is reaching out to us for assistance in identifying potential Board members for Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. (RMM) to help them recruit five to seven new Board members. See details below. Any interest or recommendations?
20. Interested in scholarships for next year’s college expenses? Check out the Scholarships that the Urban League of Rochester organizes. Applications are now open. Deadlines vary for the various scholarships. Don’t delay some deadlins are as early as March 1, 2025.
Scholarships — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
21. The Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF) Scholarship program portal is now open. The portal will close on February 28, 2025.
Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation (racf.org)
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
22. 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)
23. Could your business use the services of an outstanding? AIOPX leads clients through the methodologies of Operations Excellence to produce extraordinary bottom-line results. 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!