Today is Saturday, April 12. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month to remind us the importance of protecting children from harm. The Jewish Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12 and is observed through nightfall of Sunday, April 20. Passover is the celebration of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt into freedom with the help of God; Seder ceremonies emphasize the concept of freedom. The first two days and the last two days are observed as holy days. Saturday, April 12 the Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Memorial of Jesus’ Death, the death of Jesus Christ. Sunday, April 13, Christians observe Palm Sunday. Monday, April 14, is the Sikh, Hindu holiday of Vaisakhi. This day marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest. Thursday, April 17 is Holy Thursdays for Christians. This day begins Christian Holy Week, the last week of Lent and the final week before Easter. It refers to the palms that people spread on the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate the feast day of Passover. Friday, April 18 is Good Friday. Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus and related events. Sunday, April 20 is the Christian holy day of Easter. This day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sunday, April 20 is Ridvan. The Baha’i commemorate the declaration of Baháúllah to his followers in 1863. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are major Baha’i holy days.
Quote of the week: “White Americans desire to be free of a past they do not want to remember, while Black Americans remain bound to a past they can never forget.” Nikole Hannah-Jones born April 9, 1976 – present; American journalist.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Nikole Hannah-Jones born April 9, 1976 – present; American journalist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikole_Hannah-Jones
EVENTS
1. The 2nd Annual Black Maternal Health Walkathon will be held Saturday, April 12 @ 10:00 at Marketplace Mall. See below for more information.
Healthy Baby Network’s 2nd Annual Black Maternal Health Walkathon: Walking for Wellness
2. Join Action for a Better Community on April 16 at 7 PM for a night of comedy in celebration of 60 years of service to the Rochester community! See flyer below for details and registration:
3. George Yeadon and Marc Cohen shared the following event:
Scholars’ Day Keynote, MCC Theater, Brighton Campus (Parking: Lot F)
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 7:00 pmESL presents a conversation with Dr. Clint Smith. Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of #1 New York Times bestselling book, How the Word Is Passed. Through his vital writing and talks, he argues that understanding our history not only enables us to understand our world, but also empowers us to fight for racial justice.
4. Nanette Massey and Dr. Robin D’Angelo are hosting another ‘Beyond The White Echo Chamber: “Questions & Answers on Racism”‘ discussion on Sunday, May 4, 3:00 EDT. See below for details and to register.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
5. John Engels shares this resource that represents a valuable, science-based approach to clarifying some of the current “we vs. they” polarization.
https://www.randolphnesse.com/nessays/why-constructive-engagement-is-rare
6. Frank Staropoli shares this piece from a Black Lives Matter publication ‘Make America Racist Again’.
7. Liz Brown shared this inportant piece by Tim Snyder, ‘ “Antisemitism” vs. Antisemitism”.
8. Here is the latest Pink Elephant Newsletter by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D., ‘Accountability: The Missing Link In Your Workplace’.
9. Here are 2 articles found in the current The Minority Reporter:
a. ‘Empowering Black Entrepreneurs: Rochester Programs Target Systemic Barriers’
b. ‘Early Release or Second Chance Earned Time Bill Sparks Heated Political Fight’
10. Here is are 2 articles from this week’s Beacon:
a.
b.
11. Here is the latest Interrupter Newsletter from the Urban League of Rochester:
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/micro-advantage-loan-program-13861189?e=25818c1f26
12. Here is an uodate to Bill Wynne’s April Sharing.
13. There are 7 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Trump funding cuts put libraries in peril
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2bead298e_134f94a
b. Mohican Tribe reclaims sacred mountain in MA
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=05de3e2be_134f94a
c. STRIVING FOR IMPACT
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0d492015a_134f94a
d. Since Prude’s death, Rochester has pushed for transparency
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=1d492015a_134f94a
e. ‘This is the right thing … for the right reason’
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0fac76883_134f94b
f. NY won’t back down over DEI in schools
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=122522de1_134f94d
g. Trump administration fires US admiral at NATO
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=133ab6422_134f94d
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”.
14. 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 have passed as early as March 1, 2025.
Scholarships — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
15. 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)
16. Have a sweet tooth? Try the Spreme Bakery Cafe in Rochester’s Browncroft neighborhood. See link below:
Taste Of Supreme Bakery & Cafe 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!