Today is Saturday, March 1. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar started yesterday, February 28 at sundown and will run through Sunday, March 30th. Ramandan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. March is Women’s History month, an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Wednesday, March 5 is the Christian holy day of Ash Wednesday, signifying the start of Lent. Lent is a period of prayer, fasting and giving. Most Christians receive ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday to symbolize death, repentance, and a call to turn away from sin. Thursday, March 6 is the Jewish holiday of Purim that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from persectution in ancient Persia. The holiday is celebrated with feasting, costumes, parades and gift giving. Saturday, March 8 is the Hindu festival of Holi, a colorful celebration of Spring, love and new life. Saturday is also, International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievement of women.
Quote of the Week: “To know that you are unique makes you beautiful.” Harnaaz Sandhu born March 3, 2000 – present; Indian model, actor, and Miss Universe.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Harnaaz Sandhu born March 3, 2000 – present; Indian model, actor, and Miss Universe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harnaaz_Sandhu
Special Message: We have included the message below for the last few weeks and will continue to do so for a couple more weeks. We add, if you wish to contact your U.S. Senators or Congress Representative on any issue we suggest you download the free app “5 Calls: Contact Your Congress” on your smart phone that will give your representative’s contact information and assist in shaping a message on a issue or go to the link that follows. 5 Calls
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. Registration is still open for the fourth annual Antiracist Education Conference, to be held today from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. 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
2. Nanette Massey is presenting one of her ‘Beyond the White Fragility Echo Chamber’ programs tomorrow, Sunday, March 2, 3:00 PM EST titled “Sonya Massey Is Why You Need More Black Friends”. See below to register.
3. On behalf of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies (NYSCCRR), please join the public hearing on reparations, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5pm at the Memorial Art Gallery, located at 500 University Ave in Rochester.
With Rochester’s deep-rooted history and resilient community, individuals are invited to provide public testimony (limited to 3 minutes) to share their perspectives on the topic of reparations and racially just urban renewal. Everyone’s voice is crucial to this mission, and all are welcome to participate as we work together toward reparative justice for all New Yorkers.
4. The Urban League of Rochester invites you to the monthly Virtual Speaker Series on Friday, March 7th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM! This free online event takes place on the first Friday of every month. The March speaker, Jim Armstrong, will present “Finding the Words that Provoke and Heal.” Learn more and sign-up at the link below.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/dhs-expanding-access-to-community-13860336?e=25818c1f26
5. 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.
6. 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:
7. GeorgeYeadon shares two (2) items;
a. ‘What jazz teaches about the necessity of civil discourse’, Musician, composer Wynton Marsails speaks at Harvard University.
b. Documentary: “Nationtime” – 1968 National Black Political Convention (Gary, IN)
8. Drew Saur shares 2 items:
a. The story of “Timbuctoo”, one of several ninetheenth century settlements envisioned to surmount an 1846 law that restricted the right of right of Black men to vote. See link below.
b. Fixing a problem we didn’t cause’: the Black Appalachian activists cultivating community power.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/23/black-appalachia-activists?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
9. Liz Brown shares 2 items:
a. The Archive of Black History and Culture is a new, community-curated repository in the Local History & Genealogy Division seeking to repair the historical record by collecting, preserving, and disseminating resources that document the experiences of Rochester’s Black residents—past, present, and future.
b. You are a supporter of DEI, here is an appeal for support from a leader of Indivisible.
10. We provide the third part to a podcast from last week’s Reveal News. Find them below.
‘Forty Acres and a Lie, Part 3’
40 Acres and a Lie Part 3 – Reveal
11. Here is the latest Interrupter Newsletter from the Urban League of Rochester::
The Interrupter Newsletter – February 27, 2025
12. Here is the latest Pink Elephant Newsletter by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D., ‘Maroon Leadership: A Blueprint for Workplace Resistance and Collective Strength’.
(11) Maroon Leadership: A Blueprint for Workplace Resistance and Collective Strength | LinkedIn
13. The following article was published in this week’s edition of the Beacon, ‘Battle over Books’;
Battle over books – Rochester BeaconRochester Beacon
14. There are 3 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Defenseless, New York Prisons – Behind the Robert Brooks beating lies a deeply flawed prison culture’
b. Questions remain 60 years later about death of Malcolm X.
c. BOYCOTTS PLANNED OVER DEI RETREAT (will they be effective?).
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”.
15. 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? Stuart also has added information on a new RMM intiative ‘Immigrant Legal Rights’ project (see below).
16. 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 deadlines are as early as March 1, 2025.
Scholarships — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
17. 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)
18. Feel like dancing and making new connections. The Elevate Dance Center, a dance and
community hub in southeast Rochester would be the place to go. Check it out below.
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!