Today is Saturday, August 23. We are currently in Paryushan, August 21 through August 28. The holiest period for Jains, an eight day festival signifying emergence into a new worldof spiritual and moral refinement. 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: “Times may have changed, but the people are still the same. We’re still looking for love, and that will always be our struggle as human beings.” Halle Berry born August 14, 1966 – present; American actress.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Halle Berry born August 14, 1966 – present; American actress.
https://www.britannica.com/search?query=halle+berry
ERG Fall Cohort:
This is the last week for registration (ask interested people to register by 8/30) 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. Today is the ’27th Annual Clarissa Street Reunion 2025′, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Clarissa St. See below for all the activities.
https://www.clarissastreetlegacy.com/about-4
2. 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
3. The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence is hosting an Open House, Saturday, September 6 from 1:00 – 6:00 PM at 929 S. Plymouth Ave. See below to register.
Open House 2025 RSVP Page for MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence – Giveffect
4. 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!
5. Amy Stein shares that Heather Booth, is coming to town on September 9. Heather is an inspirational social justice warrior who is said to be, “the most influential person that you’ve never heard of.” The National Council of Jewish Women, Rochester Section presents ‘If We Organize With Love at the Center, We Can Change the World‘, Tuesday, September 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Event is free (donations suggested) but registration is required.
6. 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.
7. The Urban League of Rochester’s 6th Annual INTERRUPT RACISM Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. More information to follow.
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. Richard Glaser shares this recent WXXI Connections program on the ‘Clarissa Street Reunion’ and the history of Clarissa St.
10. If you cannot attend the ‘Clarissa Street Reunion’ I would urge you to explore the information on the ‘Clarissa (street) Uprooted’ exhibit this weekend and visit the exhibit at the Rundel Library soon.
Exhibit – Clarissa Uprooted https://www.clarissauprooted.org/exhibit/
11. Kit Miller shares 2 items:
a. Ice Block-a free app available on Apple Store to help community member’s track ICE movements in their area. https://www.iceblock.app/
A good article about the creator of this app:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/13/ice-alert-app-trump
b. The Judicial Observation Project (JOP) of the 7th (Western NY) judicial district is seeking volunteers. Now entering its 5th year, volunteers are trained to observe courtroom proceedings and identify implicit bias. For more information, email JOPRochester@gmail.com. JOP is a collaboration the between United Christian Leadership Ministry of Rochester and the 7th Judicial District.
12. Laurie Mahoney shares 3 items:
a. This piece from the Spectrum Local News, ‘Advocate for Rochester’s homeless weighs in on D.C. sweep’.
b. City unveils new affordable housing at Bronson Court Townhomes – WHEC.com
https://share.google/W04bMOy0BKqb3Bxha
c. ‘Monthly evictions in New York City reach highest rate since 2018’
Monthly evictions in New York City reach highest rate since 2018 – Gothamist
13. Drew Saur shares 2 items on Trump’s attack on museums that you may not have seen the details on;
a. ‘Trump says Smithsonian is too focused on slavery. Scholars see sanitizing’.
b. ‘White House targets ‘woke’ Smithsonian content in new list’
14. This week’s The Minority Reporter has one article that we share; ‘Major Rochester Black Church to Install New Pastor’
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/major-rochester-black-church-to-install-new-pastor
15. Sharing 2 articles found in this week’s Beacon:
a. Entrepreneur builds real estate business on ethical foundation
b. Food and health care access at risk
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/08/21/food-and-health-care-access-at-risk/
16. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. Fairport proposes major zoning changes (doesn’t appear it would open the community to all).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=14bfd5a6f_134fae6
b. Shooting by police sows anger, grief in 19th Ward
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=02bdb4aec_134fae8
c. Clarissa Street Reunion celebrates a lost history (if you read one thing this week, read this article).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=134228214_134fae9
d. Shaky foundation (NYS Governor’s affordable housing program lacks results).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0214f6300_134faeb
e. Companies use risky ads amid diversity rollbacks
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=06f8ebb70_134faeb
f. City rejects federal demand to end sanctuary policy
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=055310c5f_134faeb
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”.
17. 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.
18. Save the Date. The next ROC Community Table Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Professionals Gathering will be Friday, September 26, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. More details to follow.
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. Beverly Brown suggests we support Women of Color International and associated businesses. Connie Marple has built and continues to expand a collaboration and association of powerful, innovative women. Help support them by “voting with your dollars”.
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!