Today is Saturday, July 26. Thursday, July 31 is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, a Catholic celebration of the founder of the Society of Jesus and patron saint of soldiers. Saturday, August 2 – Sunday, August 3 is the Jewish commemoration of Tisha B’Av, an annual fast day on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. July has been Disability Pride Month, created in 1990 with the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Disability is a spectrum encompassing a vast uniqueness of illnesses. However, it is important to recognize that, contrary to the societal norm, disability should not be seen as existing “without.” July has also been Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness.
Quote of the week: “I grew up in a very traditional family, but there was never anything I didn’t think I could do.” Huma Abedin born July 28, 1976 – present; American political staffer.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Huma Abedin born July 28, 1976 – present; American political staffer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huma_Abedin
ROC Community Table:
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.
We recently convened approximately 50 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals to discuss issues faced under the Executive Orders and other actions of the Trump administration, share goals and objects, learn best practices and encourage one another to carry on the fight for justice. Interested in attending future meetings? Contact Tom Mitchell @ “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
EVENTS
1. We share that there is a ‘Families First, National Day of Action’ today, Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 11 AM – 12 Noon at the Keating Federal Building, 100 State Street, Rochester NY 14614. See flyer below for more information.
2. The Rochester Black Culture Festival is Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 on Parcel 5 on Main St. Rochester. See below for more information.
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=080542161_134fa8a
3. Eric Townell shares information on a free concert “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” on Sunday, July 27, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Hochstein Performance Center, 50 Plymouth Ave. North, Rochester to benefit the Gandi Institute for Non-Violence. See flyer below for more information.
4. Erin Thompson, Executive Director, MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence extends an invitation to take part in a visionary initiative that will promote hope, healing and solidarity in Rochester. Full information found that the link below. Please RSVP by July 28th, for a August 1, 9:00 AM introductory call.
5. The Urban League of Rochester’s August Virtual Speaker Series featuring Congressman Joe Morelle is Friday, August 1 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. See link below to register for this free event.
Reminder: August Virtual Speaker Series
6. Bill Wynne shares information on a Community Forum on Economic Justice, Tuesday, August 5, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
7. George Yeadon shares a list of Summer Events scheduled by ‘In this Moment. Revolution, Reckoning, Reparation’. The next on is In This Moment Celebrity Bar Tenders at Flight Wine Bar, 262 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, Thursday, August 21 at 5-8pm. Come ready to eat delicious charcuterie and chocolate and sip wine with us expertly poured by ITM luminaries Amanda Chestnut, Shawn Dunwoody and Dr. Shaun Nelms!
Save The Dates For Our ITM Summer Events!
8. Liz Brown shares information on the FTPROC’s 2025 Resistance & Resilience Abolition Conference, September 6, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See link below for details.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-resistance-and-resilience-abolition-conference
9. Syd Bell shares that a subcommittee of the Rochester JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Collective (a community group that brings together folks working in and/or volunteering with DEI initiatives) has been working on bringing a screening of the documentary film Join or Die to Rochester, and they are excited to share that this will take place on Monday, Sept. 8, 6-9 p.m. at The Little Theater, 240 East Ave, Rochester, NY in Little 1. The program is free but you must register. REGISTER: Here! Your registration includes a seat in Little 1, one order of the famous Little Popcorn, and a soft drink or water.
This film shares a simple and urgent premise: “…why you should join a club… and why the fate of America depends on it.” Check out the trailer!
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES
10. Here is an article from Sunday’s D&C that all should read, ‘Local tribes hurt by canal’ (with all the hype over the 250 year celebration of the Erie Canal have we ever thought about the disruption of tribal land and lives?)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=096acbe14_134fa84
11. Another timely article in this paast week’s D&C is the DOJ release of the MLK Jr. assinantion files. Is this a smoke screen to take attention away from the Jeffery Epstein controversy? Read why the MLK Jr. family objects to the release ‘King family objects to release of files’.
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2b5772bb0_134fa87
12. We repeat John Engels sharing from last week of this thought provoking piece by Kmele Foster of the Tangle ‘Let’s have an authentic racial reckoning’. I believe you will find this well worth your time to read.
13. Came across this college commence speech from 2020 that shares the basics of wisdom and lessons for a life worth living.
124 Drew Saur shares 2 related pieces. Trump wants the Commanders football team to take back original name. Is this what our president should spend his time on?
a. Trump threatens Washington stadium deal unless NFL team readopts Redskins name | Reuters
15. Liz Brown shares this article from the The Black Wall Street Times, ‘Black America in Crisis:Urban League Declares State of Emergency’.
Black America in Crisis: Urban League Declares State of Emergency
16. Sharing 2 articles found in this week’s The Minority Reporter; ‘
a. Trump Accuses Obama of Treason; Former President Fires Back https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/trump-accuses-obama-of-treason-former-president-fires-back
b. Why Trump Wants the “Redskins” Name Returned – The Politics of Nostalgia https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/trump-the-nfl-and-the-politics-of-white-nostalgia
17. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. Tribes say policies threaten sacred site
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=03091b8da_134fa84
b. Local tribes hurt by canal (with all the hype over the 250 year celebration of the Erie Canal have we ever thought about the disruption of tribal land and lives?)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=096acbe14_134fa84
c. Haudenosaunee culture, today’s couture
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0ac13093b_134fa84
d. ‘Sesame Street’ puppeteer teaching kids to dream in color
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2360c52a9_134fa86
e. Ex-officer sentenced in Taylor case
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0b5772bb0_134fa87
f. King family objects to release of files
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2b5772bb0_134fa87
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”.
18. Monica Gebell informs us that applications are open and live for Cohort #3 of Rochester’s Rekindle Black-Jewish Dialogue Fellowship: https://form.jotform.com/241695921292160 Rekindle’s mission is to drive meaningful social change by fostering collaboration between Black and Jewish leaders. Through open, challenging dialogues and direct, face-to-face interactions, we aim to dismantle barriers and cultivate new connections. Applicants who have not yet explored allyship between communities and who are willing to listen and learn from one another are sought.
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 great photographer for a special event or family portrait? I recommend Denise Batiste Photography. See below.
Denise Batiste Photography 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!