Today is Saturday, June 21. June is Pride Month, a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) culture and community. June is Caribbean American Heritage Month, the month-long observance promotes the rich culture and heritage of the Caribbean American people and their contribution to the United States. June is also Black Music Appreciation month, an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States.
Quote of the week: “I have a huge and savage conscience that won’t let me get away with things.” Octavia Butler born June 22, 1947 – died February 24, 2006; American author and Afro-futurist.
Featured civil rights activist/abolition/pioneer: Octavia Butler born June 22, 1947 – died February 24, 2006; American author and Afro-futurist.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Octavia-E-Butler
EXPLORING RACISM GROUP (ERG) NEWS:
ERG is inviting you to join in establishing a new Program offering one-time educational/experiential sessions for leaders
and influencers who currently cannot commit to ERG year-long groups. Grounded in theory and practice, potential sessions topics include:
Managing Personnel Challenges Related to Race
Cultivating an Organization Where Diversity Is an Asset
This initiative is an opportunity to put your lived experience and
values to work. You can help by:
Suggesting and vetting topics of interest
Helping to create marketing materials
Helping to organize the events themselves
Helping to recruit participants when the time comes.
We’re excited to hear your thoughts and ideas. Email Kit Miller (transitionrochny@gmail.com) before June 30.
DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION Information Update:
With the current administration’s attack on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs and practices the ROC Community Table is holding suppport meetings with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion professionals to share information on areas of impact, best practices in today’s environment and to offer support and encouragement. Contact Tom Mitchell at “tcmitch1951@gmail.com” if interested in participating in future meetings.
EVENTS
1. Kit Miller suggests attending a book launch for an amazing friend, who emigrated from Cameroon to Rochester about 9 years ago, has written a powerful memoir growing up in Cameroon in a large polygamist family, overcoming many many challenges to immigrate to Rochester where she is thriving. Great uplifting read and a timely message about how amazing immigrants and refugees are, all the gifts they bring to our communities.
2. Liz Brown recommends your consideration to join the Training for Systemic Change and Allyship Series Kick-off with Heather McGhee, 4 p.m. June 24. McGhee is an expert in economic and social policy. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.” Register at: https://indivisible.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N19UUHZHSnKWj0ejRK13pw?fbclid=IwY2xjawKsJNtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExekk3S0VndWNNWmRzN1d6AR4H-dczrQfDPU_0riM2MZ9JoLvlRJev7pI_0NwgJXREHAFVC7_jkMM5b_rP_w_aem_33hRGDPhJ4x22v62hsU_jg#/registration
3. Melissa Geska Suchodolski announces the inaugural Revitalize & Innovate Symposium. This landmark event will bring together visionary developers, influential community innovators, and impactful social leaders from across the nation to inspire hope and illuminate opportunities for transformational change, even amid extraordinary challenges.
4. The Finger Lakes Opera also has two (2) other upcoming events, July 12 from 3-6 PM: Behind the Curtain – this is a movie viewing of Chevalier which is a biopic on the composer of The Anonymous Lover, Joseph Bologne. Bologne was a contemporary of Mozart’s. He was born to a slave in Guadalupe and eventually sent to Paris by his slave-owning father who saw his unusual talents. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion on the influence Bologne had on Mozart and why much of his music was destroyed by Napoleon; at The Little Theatre.
5. On July 20 @ 2 PM: The Anonymous Lover – Finger Lakes Opera will perform Joseph Bologne’s only existing opera at Panara Theatre at RIT/NTID. More information will follow on this event in coming weeks.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
6. Frank Staropoli shares this piece ‘Why Standing Up Against Trump is Good for Business’;
7. Pat Mitchell provides two (2) brief videos by ‘On the Road with Steve Hartman’ that are well worth viewing:
a. ‘Elderly widow who was invited to eat with strangers’
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14Eth8MgbCY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
b. ‘By chance, a homeless 26 year-old…gets a heart’
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=456393861683502&surface_type=vod&referral_source=vod_deeplink_unit
8. Bill Wynne provides a highlight of Juneteenth events and articles in his mid-June update. See below.
9. Jalil Muntaqim presents information from the Rochester Chapter of Citizen Action asking for assistance with its developing statewide campaign. Jalil states “Unfortunately, I am at capacity with the projects already on my plate, however, I realize not all members, friends and supporters are engaged in every project we are currently advancing and advocating to achieve.” Therefore, he is presenting the information below in case this statewide campaign interests you and you want to get more involved in voting rights for incarcerated workers. “
10. Sharing 1 article found in this week’s The Minority Reporter; ‘Juneteenth Is Not a Rival to the Fourth of July — It’s the Fulfillment of It’. See link below:
11. Here are 2 articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. The Urban League’s clear vision amid uncertainty – Rochester BeaconRochester Beacon
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/19/the-urban-leagues-clear-vision-amid-uncertainty/
b. Resist the push to ban books – Rochester BeaconRochester Beacon
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/16/resist-the-push-to-ban-books/
12. We share the latest Interrupter Newsletter from the Urban League of Rochester:
The Interrupter Newsletter – June 19, 2025
13. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. 50 years later, the family of slain NY man awaits justice
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0a6d4ca22_134fa1b
b. Federal cuts hit farmers, food banks
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=03c546f84_134fa1c
c. NY prison bill includes surveillance camera mandate
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2d37cd19e_134fa1e
d. Advocates hope Juneteenth renews reparations support
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=060bdac7f_134fa20
e. Navajo families want aid restored (Native Americans like Black and Brown people are often subject to environmental hazards).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0553be764_134fa21
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. Looking for a grant for your organization? Check out the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s (RACF) portal.
15. 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.
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. Tooth ache? Need a cleaning. Try Sarah J. Smith, D.D.S:
arah J. Smith – General Dentistry – Rochester NY – topDentists
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!