Today is Saturday, August 2. 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. August is Black Business month, honoring Black-owned businesses in the United States. First celebrated in 2004, there are 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in America. This month hopes to push for equity in the business space and celebrate those who own a business despite daily challenges..
Quote of the week: “The political process is rough and tumble by definition, and being grounded in faith in a Higher Power has proven helpful in navigating the difficult terrain.” Hakeem Jeffries born August 4 – present; American politician.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Hakeem Jeffries born August 4, 1970 – present; American politician.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hakeem-Jeffries
ERG Fall Cohort:
Registration for the ERG “Engaging Racism” program, the 12 month program formerly referred to as “Exploring Racism” will begin in September 2025. The Intake Form with the available meeting days/times is at the first link (a) below. Complete information on the program is found at the second link (b) below. Please share with others.
b. ERG Program Information for Prospective Participants – exploringracism.org
EVENTS
1. The Puerto Rican Festival started Thursday and runs through today, Saturday, August 2. Find information at link below. In addition, George Yeadon shares that WXXI & PBS KIDS will have booth at the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival, Saturday, August 2 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Parcel 5.
2. Bill Wynne shares information on a Community Forum on Economic Justice, Tuesday, August 5, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
3. George Yeadon shares that the Rochester Summer Soul Music Festival will be held Saturday, August 9, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Innovation Field. See below for details.
Rochester Summer Soul Music Festival
4. George Yeadon also 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!
5. 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
6. 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!
7. His Branches holds it 2nd Annual Golf 2nd annual ‘Fore Rochester’ Golf Tournament at Ravenwood Golf Club on September 15, 2025. See below for details and to register.
8. Registration for ‘In This Moment; Revolution, Reckoning, Reparation’ next Book Launch & Panel Discussion is LIVE! Scheduled for September 29th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the George Eastman House, Dryden Theatre is live. See below for details.
Register Now For 9/29 ITM Book Launch + Awards News!
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES
9. Here is a link to a podcast from The Reveal, ‘Ibram X. Kendi vs. America’s “Anti-Racism Backlash“ ‘ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ibram-x-kendi-vs-americas-antiracism-backlash/id886009669?i=1000718556292
10. Drew Saur shares two articles from The Guardian;
a. ‘Revealed: the far-right, antisemitic men’s club network spreading across US’.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/05/far-right-mens-clubs-old-glory?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
b. ‘Edinburgh University had ‘outsized’ role in creating racist scientific theories, inquiry finds’
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/27/edinburgh-university-outsized-role-creating-racist-scientific-theories-inquiry?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
11. A friend posted information on the inaugural issue of a new Florida magazine, ‘Evolve’. Several rich stories in this edition. Check it out.
The Story of Estebana and the First Black Community – EVOLVE Magazine
12. Liz Brown shares information on the news release ‘Rochester Launches First Daniel’s Law-Styled Crisis Response Team — HOPE First Roc!’
13. Here is Bill Wynne’s introduction to his new blog post ‘The American Creed: Promise and Paradox’ along with a link to this month’s essay.
14. Laurie Mahoney and jalil muntaqim share 2 items:
a. The rise of ‘accidental landlords’ is starting to have a serious impact on America’s housing supply — with no end in sight. Here’s what owners, renters need to know now https://share.google/uRvcwDaLgt0fuoM8O
b. The White House is shifting the ‘housing first’ approach to combating homelessness : NPR https://share.google/duuxDAQBf0QuqYKQF
15. jalil muntaqim and Liz Brown share this article, ‘”Black on Black Crime” is a Lie’.
16. Sharing 1 article found in this week’s The Minority Reporter; ‘
Critics Say Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Targets Nation’s Poorest, While Millions Who Could Be Impacted Don’t Vote
17. Sharing 2 articles found in this week’s Beacon:
a. Rally held downtown to protest Trump policies
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/07/30/rally-held-downtown-to-protest-trump-policies/
b. Housing advocates criticize RPD dismantling of encampments
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/07/29/housing-advocates-criticize-rpd-dismantling-of-encampments/
18. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. Rochester’s LGBTQ+ community under pressure in 2025 (ERG speaks out against all forms of hate and intolerance).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0262ab160_134fa8b
b. The power of our Ellis Islands (Opinion piece by Dr. Mark Zupan, President – Alfred University, former Dean – U of R Simon School)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0f3c33c65_134fa8b
c. DOJ investigating states’ voter rolls
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=02a8efdb8_134fa8c
d. Hundreds celebrate at the Black Culture Festival.
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=037f5940d_134fa8f
e. AG backs defense of sanctuary city role (NYS AG).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0568633da_134fad5
f. Justices to weigh key voting law (could gut a provision enacted 60 years ago that was intended to prevent racial discrimination in voting).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=1f456e006_134fad6
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”.
19. 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:
20. 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)
21. 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!