Today is Saturday, May 10. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander month honoring the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States. May is Jewish American Heritage month celebrating the history and culture of Jewish Americans. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness about mental health and promote positive mental well-being. Tomorrow, Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day. Monday, May 12th is Vesak, the most important of the Buddhist festivals celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
Quote of the week: “A problem is a chance to do your best.” Duke Ellington (Born Edward Kennedy Ellington) April 29, 1899 – died May 24, 1974; American musician.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Duke Ellington (Born Edward Kennedy Ellington) April 29, 1899 – died May 24, 1974; American musician.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duke-Ellington
EVENTS
1. “In This Moment; Revolution, Reckoning, Reparations” next Book Launch and Panel Discussion will be held at the George Eastman House, Dryden Theatre on Monday, May 19 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. The program is free but you must register. See below for details on the honorees and to register.
2. The next offering of The Little Theatre’s Black Cinema series will be the film ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00 PM. For tickets go to Little Theatre.
3. “In This Moment; Revolution, Reckoning, Reparations” fundraiser and concert ‘Voices of In this Moment’, will be held at The Little Theatre 1 on Wednesday, June 4 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The tickets can be purchased for $100. See below for artists and tickets.
4. The City of Rochester begins the 2025 Juneteenth commemoration Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 353 Court Street Rochester, NY, Parade begins at 11:00 AM, Festival begins at 12:00pm-8:00pm. See details at the link below.
Join the Festivities | Rochester Juneteenth
5. City of Rochester’s Juneteenth Block Party will take place Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as the City celebrates Juneteenth with a lunchtime block party at Austin Steward Plaza! There will be food trucks and live music. See below for more information.
City of Rochester’s Juneteenth Block Party | City of Rochester, New York
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
6. We share an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, ‘Locals Fight Back After Naval Academy Removes Books in DEI Cull’. Included in the 381 books removed from the library was “Horse” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks, a novel centered on a Black slave’s care of a racehorse. What are these people afraid of?
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/naval-academy-dei-book-removal-annapolis-maryland-072f1b02
7. Here is this week’s Emancipator ‘Surviving the culture vulture’s bite’. The editor states “to protect our (Black) identity we must become true proprietors of our culture’. Find this and other items at the link below.
8. Sharing 2 articles found in the current The Minority Reporter:
a. ‘First Conviction In Death of Robert Brooks At March Facility’.
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/first-conviction-in-death-of-robert-brooks-at-marcy-facility
b. ‘Rochester, N.Y., officials, WXXI push back against Trump administration order targeting public media’.
9. Here is are 2 articles from this week’s Beacon:
a.
b.
10. We share the latest Interrupter Newsletter from the Urban League of Rochester:
The Interrupter Newsletter – May 8, 2025
11. Here is the latest Pink Elephant Newsletter by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D., ‘He Built A Tool That Turns Your Career Story Into An Experience’.
(22) He Built A Tool That Turns Your Career Story Into An Experience | LinkedIn
12. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. White House says ‘system of merit’ to replace DEI
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=3b9a96845_134f9ab
b. Cuts mean millions fewer food bank meals
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0f4a60c64_134f9a
c. Why terminating all DEI in science could harm your health
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=17d0cbd0e_134f9ac
d. Slain teen’s ‘smile lit up every room’
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0810e17d8_134f9b1
e. Ex-officers acquitted in Nichols’ death
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=03132180b_134f9b1
OPPORTUNITIES: We share opportunities to get involved in addressing some of the communities challenges. Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
13. Concerned about the current U.S. administration’s agenda? Join ROC Community Table. The ROC Community Table is a coalition of over 80 committed community leaders, advocates, and service providers who have been working together since November 2024 to protect critical programs. See below for details.
14. Join your colleagues from multiple agencies for the All In Roc Community Health Outreach Partnership door-to-door community canvassing. Through this partnership, health information is disseminated throughout the city right to residents’ doorsteps. This year’s program will run from May 28th to October 29th from 3:00 to 5:30 PM every other Wednesday.
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 Does your business need a boost? Turn to Drummergirl Marketing. Drummergirl Marketing helps and empowers DIY Marketers and overwhelmed business owners through a holistic approach to assist them reach their marketing and business goals. See link below:
Drummergirl Marketing 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!