March is Women’s History month, a month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to US history. Today is Saturday, March 23. Sunday, March 24 is the Jewish Feast of Lots, named Purim commemorating being saved from persecution in the ancient Persian Empire. Sunday. March 24 is also Palm Sunday, the day the crowd waved palm branches to honor Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Monday, March 25 is the Hindu Holi festival (festival of colors) commemorating the return of Spring also symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Friday, March 29 is Good Friday, the day Christians denominations observe Jesus’s crucifixion and death. Muslims are currently observing Ramadan, the month long period of fasting, charity giving and self-accountability for Muslims (see interesting article at item 16.e. below that highlights the impact of the fast on Muslim students). Christians are observing the period of Lent until March 28.
Quote of the Week:
“To white folks saying, “I’m sorry,” or “Not me.” Your apologies don’t change hearts. Self-flagellation doesn’t bend the arc. Defensiveness doesn’t keep us safe. Let action be your words.” Rev.Dr. Jacqui Lewis.
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolitionist/Leader for this week: Lillian E. Fishburne, first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, born March 25, 1949.
Radm. Lillian Fishburne’s Biography (thehistorymakers.org)
EVENTS:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. Liz Brown reminds us that this week is ‘Daniel’s Law Week of Action’, March 18 – 23. See information below and link to register for the various events at the link below that. See D&C article (Item 16.g.) for information on proposed law and today’s vigil.
Daniel’s Law Action Week – NAMI Columbia County, NY (namiccny.org)
The registration link for all the events is bit.ly/DLWOA24.
2. Jalil Muntaqim shares information on the Story Lab program to be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM, at the Sidney Hillman Health Center, 750 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y., Citizen Action in partnership with the Redlich Horwitz Foundation, will be conducting this “Story Lab” for parents who have had negative experiences with Child Protective Services (CPS). See flyer below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uhl714pNDtJ15Ineat_s6OjQryRJVCHl/view?usp=drive_web
3. Jalil Muntaqim also shares information on a Town Hall meeting – Intersectionality of Poverty in Rochester to be held on Friday, April 12th, 2024, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, at the University of Rochester, Dewey Hall 1011. See flyer below.
412 Town Hall Flyer.pdf – Google Drive
4. “The Black Woman is Art,” an exhibit curated by local creative Zharriay Callier and Rochester photographer Erica Jae, is on display at the City Hall Link Gallery, 30 Church St., now through Friday, April 19.
The Black Woman is Art at City Hall Link Gallery (minorityreporter.net)
5. 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.
6. A reminder that the Clarissa Uprooted exhibit reopened February 21, 2024 and will be open through December 2024 on Wednesdays 3pm – 7:30pm // Saturdays Noon – 4pm at the Rundel Memorial Building, 115 South Ave (riverside), 2nd floor, Rochester NY. See below for information.
Exhibit – Clarissa Uprooted – Rochester, NY
7. His Branches, operates as a community health center with clinics in the 19th Ward and Beechwood communities within the City of Rochester, dedicated to the pursuit health and economic equity for all people and the good of our neighborhoods is holding a fund raising golf tournament on July 22. See link below for more information.
https://www.hisbranches.org/golf
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
8. Laurie Mahoney provides a good read on a community-controlled model that could resolve the inherent conflict between private development corporations and their ability to provide an affordable housing product that meets their ROI needs.
https://jacobin.com/2024/02/social-housing-development-authority-new-york
9. Laurie Mahoney shares information on action needed to advance rent stabilization.
10. Here is an article from the Minority Reporter;
Alvin Ailey’s Revelation Still Invokes Deep Feelings (minorityreporter.net)
11. This latest article from the Pink Elephant Newsletter by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare; ‘Black Women In DEI Are Under Attack’.
(5) Black Women In DEI Are Under Attack | LinkedIn
12. 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’.
‘Why this millionaire gifted his own money to Tulsa survivors seeking reparations’
13. Two articles are provided below from this week’s Beacon;
a. Alternative therapy, transformational travel, outdoor experiences and employment are some of the approaches in use in the city of Rochester to reduce violence.https://rochesterbeacon.com/2024/03/21/for-youth-healing-and-opportunity/
b. A decrease in core aid funding, as proposed in the state budget, will impact more than 9,000 learners in Rochester.https://rochesterbeacon.com/2024/03/21/budget-cuts-to-public-charter-schools-are-detrimental-for-students/
14. Here is the Urban League of Rochester’s latest Interrupter newsletter:
Catch Up on the RASE Annual Community Update (mailchi.mp)
15. Jamie Cornehlsen provides this piece on Shirley Chisoholm. See below.
16. There are 7 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Former Channel 8 reporter to discuss her new memoir (story of a young person that didn’t find her heritage and culture represented in history and popular culture).
b. STANDARD ENGLISH IS NOT JUST WHITE ENGLISH’ (insights into why the English of Black America may be different from White America).
c. Treat health care like any other human right (Opinion piece, lack of funding has greater impact on People of Color).
d. Police challenge ban on death theory (the ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis is in dispute).
e Muslim students need support during Ramadan (our focus is racism but, also encourages tolerance of differences. Can you emphasize with Muslims?).
f. Former ‘Goon Squad’ officer gets 40 years.
g. Momentum in Albany builds for Daniel’s Law (there is a vigil today, Saturday at MLK Jr. Park in Rochester).
OPPORTUNITIES:
17. Joseph Searles Jr. announces Trillium Health is hiring for the position listed in the attachment below.
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)
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:
19. 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)
20. Need a change in corporate culture or a great team building experience? MYRetreat Inc. is holding a Chocolate Mindfulness™ Retreat at Frequency Wellness Space on Saturday on March 30th 4-5pm. Located at 34 Elton St, Suite 130 Rochester, New York, US, 14607
Below is the invitation:
(1) Chocolate Mindfulness™ Retreat | LinkedIn
21. Need a photographer for a wedding, event or portrait? Check out the ‘Denise Batiste Photography. See below.
Denise Batiste Photography of Rochester, New York
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 on Friday.
Thank you!