Today is Saturday, May 17. 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. May 22nd and May 23rd is the Baha’i observance of the Declaration of the Bab; this marks the inception of the Baha’i Faith in 1844. The Bab declared that he was a messenger of God and was sent to prepare the way for the one of all religions who would come to establish universal peace.
Quote of the week: “No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music.” Stevie Wonder (Born Steveland Hardaway Judkins) May 13, 1950 – present; American musician.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Stevie Wonder (Born Steveland Hardaway Judkins) May 13, 1950 – present; American musician.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stevie-Wonder
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
With the current administration’s attack on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs it is important that companies and organizations do not overreact and abandon the principles of D, E & I . We share with you a presentation from a recent meeting of the ROC Community Table that may be useful to you and your organization to justify and support continuation of these principles. Presenters are available at your request.
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. Laurie Mahoney, chairperson of the RASE Housing CART suggests that those interested in siting and permitting inclusive affordable housing in the Rochester area attend a workshop at the Henrietta Public Library on Tuesday, May 20, 5:00 – 7:00 PM. See information below for location and to register.
3. 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.
4. “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.
5. 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
6. 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:
7. An article found in the Wall Street Journal: ‘America’s grading system has been largely stable for decades, but Joe Feldman has shifted many schools’ practices in just a few years’.
8. Committed to assuring that the proposed federal budget does not unfairly impact the poor? Liz Brown shares the proposed legislation and information that can help you contact your congressionaly representative to advocate for a fair budget.
a. Find features of the proposed budget at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GDX6ympFS85Ju0TBrM-GiCtFS7TEWL5vdY97S8dXVUA/edit?usp=sharing
b. Find talking points and position support at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D9ed9R2OPr7GKyqBMLQBaJsBeZkLtwDrFQn-3Cyjy_8/edit?usp=sharing
9. We missed noting that the Buffalo Tops Massacre occurred 3 years ago on May 14, 2022. Below is a link to a press release on the status of the memorial to honor the victims, ‘Governor Hochul, Mayor Scanlon and 5/14 Memorial Commission Announce Land Acquisition to Advance Memorial Honoring the Lives Taken and Those Impacted by the Tops Shooting in Buffalo’
10. Sharing 1 article found in the current The Minority Reporter:
a. ‘Rochester Loses Victor Saunders Voice for Nonviolence and Youth Empowerment’
11. Here is are 2 articles from this week’s Beacon:
a.
b.
12. We share the latest Interrupter Newsletter from the Urban League of Rochester:
The Interrupter Newsletter – May 16, 2025
13. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Pride in 3 generations of women’s hair
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0404d75a6_134f9b3
b. Alarmed by the ‘indifference’ (Opinion piece – protest over the sale of African American cemetary)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0f0717a75_134f9b3
c. Hidden consequence of Trump DEI cuts: Your health (Opinion piece)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=179dbcb1f_134f9b3
d. Influencer dies following childbirth (U.S. women and especially Black women have exceedinly high childbirth rates).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=01fc7a98b_134f9b4
e. RENTERS FEEL THE SQUEEZE (rent increases and affordable stores close in the City Center).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=299011c8c_134f9b9
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”.
14. 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.
15. 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:
16. 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)
17. Planning a vacation or the trip of a lifetime? Contact WynD Love Travel, their tag line, “Here to help you book the vacation of your dreams!”. See link below:
WynD Love Travel – Travel Agency 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!