March is Women’s History month, a month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to US history. Today is Saturday, March 9. Sunday is the start of Daylight Savings Time (turn clocks ahead). Monday, starts the Muslim observance of Ramadan, the month long period of fasting, charity giving and self-accountability for Muslims. Christians are observing the period of Lent until March 28.
Quote of the Week:
“There will be no quiet or peace in this land until justice and equality cover the United States of America as the water covers the seas.” Ralph David Abernathy, Black American pastor and civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King’s chief aide and closest associate during the civil rights movement, born March 11, 1926, died April 17, 1990.
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolitionist/Leader for this week: Ralph David Abernathy, Black American pastor and civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King’s chief aide and closest associate during the civil rights movement, born March 11, 1926, died April 17, 1990.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ralph-David-Abernathy
EVENTS:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. If you believe affordable housing is an important right to advance in order to alleviate poverty there is a meeting on March 14 before the Rochester City Council that you should attend. See item #7 in the NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES section below.
2. Black Owner In Rochester posted information on the upcoming Black Cinema Series at the Little Theatre on Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 featuring “Punch 9 for Herald Washington” see link below for details.
3. Dr. Frederick Jefferson announces a special concert of the Rochester Oratorio Society on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 P.M. at the Asbury First Methodist Church (1040 East Ave., Rochester, NY) titled ‘The Road Home’ which include selections by special guests, the Bach Children’s Chorus, Karla Krogstad, Director. The program will include the NY premiere of “We Are On Native Land,” music by Brent Michael Davids, Mohegan, and lyrics by Trish Corcoran, Tonawanda Onondowaga. There will be an opportunity for attendees to visit with representatives of Native American Community Services prior to the concert. Local Native American partners include Kae Wilbert, Cherokee, and Cheri Trimble, Upper Mohawk, Turtle Clan. The concert will open with an Indigenous procession. More information to follow.
4. Bill Wynne shares an invitation from Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Community for a program on March 16, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, titled ‘Transformation from Fear of Each Other to Becoming a Beloved Community’. See attachment for more information and registration,
5. George Yeadon shares information on a program offered by the Mellon Foundation on March 19 at 4:00 PM, titled ‘Race and Revelation in Our American Stories’. See the link below for more information and registration.
Race and Revelation in Our American Stories (Online) 3/19 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) (mellon.org)
6. George Yeadon also shares information on the CNBC Equity and Opportunity Forum – Constructive Conversations with information for corporate leaders about how they are navigating the current environment, working to engage in constructive conversations with employees and other stakeholders, and potentially reframing DEI initiatives as they work to create equity and opportunity for all. This livestream forum takes place on Thursday, March 21. See link below for details.
7. Jeanne Strazzabosco shares an invitation to the In This Moment Chapbook launch featuring Midge Thomas, Humanitarian and Dr. Walter Cooper PhD, Regent Emeritus of State of New York. Their writers and photographers will also take part in the panel discussion. The George Eastman Museum (900 East Ave.) is presenting the book launch and panel discussion.
April 29th; 7:00 – 7:25 – Reception in the Wolk Concourse, 7:30- 9:00 – Panel Discussion in Dryden Theatre
The event is free but we ask guests to register. Here is the link to register for the book launch and panel discussion.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
8. Laurie Mahoney and Patricia Partridge share information on activities of the RASE Community Advancing Recommendation Teams (CART) on Housing. See below:
9. Laurie Mahoney also provides information on the RMAPI and Roc Housing and Education Focus Group activities:
10. Ruhi Maker shares 2 items (a) an artcicle on the Faith Based Housing and Albany Lobby Day and (b) President Biden Announces Plan to Lower Housing Costs for Working Families;
11. Richard Glaser shares a brief piece that reminds us of acts of past racism in the North.
12. This latest article from the Pink Elephant Newsletter by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare; ‘America is Tired Of Talking About DEI’.
13. 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’.
‘Latino students at UGA face hostility after police say suspect in Laken Riley’s death is undocumented’,
14. Two articles are provided below from this week’s Beacon;
a. The urgent need for housing access vouchers
b. Concert to showcase Black classical musicians in Rochester
15. Here is the Urban League of Rochester’s latest Interrupter newsletter
Pro-Housing Program: Could Monroe County Ease its Housing Crisis? (mailchi.mp)
16. There are 4 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Residents, developers differ on BID (will those living on the margins be pushed out with the BID?).
b. Florida’s flagship university eliminates all DEI positions
c. VP Harris leads Bloody Sunday memorial (the march for voter’s right).
d. Shooting report rebuffed in Uvalde (would we have the same result if the children were all white?).
OPPORTUNITIES:
17. Starting March 4, The Greater Rochester Health Foundation will be accepting proposals under their Call for Ideas funding opportunity. This grant opportunity is part of their Responsive Grantmaking. Driven by community voice, Responsive Grants are open, nimble, and responsive to emerging health issues and needs. Through this opportunity, we seek ideas/solutions from a broad array of organizations and populations, focused on health equity, and developed with rather than for communities.
18. The Urban League of Rochester has opened its Black Scholars Common Scholarship Application process. The deadline to apply is April1, 5:00 PM. See link below for information.
Scholarships — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
19. Jennifer Suppe shares information on the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards. See information at the link below:
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:
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. Hungry? Looking for a new place to eat? Check out the ‘Dinner and Dessert Soft Opening at the Seafood/Soulfood Shack. See below.
Dinner & Dessert Soft Opening – Black-Owned In Rochester (blackownedinrochester.com)
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.