Today is Saturday, September 27. September has many designations including National Suicide Prevention month and National Recovery month. The Jewish faith is currently observing a 10 day period of penitence and concluding on Yom Kippur on the evening of Wednesday, October 1st.
Quote of the week: “I stand today on this floor to appeal for protection from the strong arm of the government for her loyal children, irrespective of color and race, who are citizens of the southern states, and particularly of the state of Georgia.” Hiram Rhodes Revels born September 27, 1827 – died January 16, 1901; American politician and educator.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Hiram Rhodes Revels born September 27, 1827 – died January 16, 1901; American politician and educator.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hiram-Rhodes-Revels
EVENTS
1. Sr. Barbara Staropoli, SSJ invites you to join weekly Saturday Vigils, where from 12 noon to 1pm, we stand together on various corners in Rochester and suburbs with our Black Lives Matter signs. See item #20 below for more information.
2. The City of Rochester presents the The Baldwin Richardson Foods Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic, Central State University vs. Lane College at 1:00 PM on September 27, 2025 at the Rochester Community Sports Complex. See link below for details and tickets.
Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic | City of Rochester, New York
3. The Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence is hosting ‘Communication that Connects: Nonviolent Communication Intensive’ on Saturday, September 27th, 10 am – 3 pm. See link below for more information and to reserve your spot.
4. 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!
5. The University of Rochester’s annual daylong conference titled “Meeting the Moment” with keynote by journalist Michelle Norris and author, Dr. Harriet Washington plus many other offerings will be held Friday October 3
https://www.rochester.edu/oee/events/annual-conference/
6. Janet Barrett informs use that the Elders & Allies FTP Roc are holding a 5th year anniversary of the ‘SAY THEIR NAMES MEMORIAL SERVICE’ to remember victims of police violence. This service to be held Friday, October 3, 2025, Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Genesee Valley Park, Tupelo Shelter. (Bring a chair or blanket.).
7. The Urban League’s Virtual Speaker Series continues on Friday, October 3 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Speakers at this session include Dr. Donna Harris, Rev. Sebrone Johnson and Dr. Candice Lucas discussing the ROC Community Table. Register at the link below.
8. The 5th Annual Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) Community Update will be held Monday, October 6, 2025, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, REOC, 161 Chestnut St, Rochester, NY 14604. Register at the link below.
urbanleagueroc.us10.list-manage.com
9. Bob Castle shares that the Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave., Rochester 14607 is holding a workshop on Thursday, October 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm titled ‘Build a Better Rochester: Workshop on Advocating for Inclusive Housing’. See file below for details and to register.
10. The Urban League of Rochester’s 6th Annual INTERRUPT RACISM Summit is for Wednesday, November 3, 2025, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. See below for more information and to register.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/interrupt-racism-summit-2025
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES
11. Here is an important piece shared by Drew Saur from the The Washington Post, ‘Black Christians confront Charlie Kirk’s religious legacy’;
12. We thought this article from Sunday, 9/13/2025 was worth placing here ‘RIT has always tried to have a place for people of color’
13. This is an important Letter from an American piece by Heather Cox Richardson. See link below. Be sure to view the video interview with U.S. Senator Doug Jones at the end of letter.
(4) September 14, 2025 – by Heather Cox Richardson
14. From the Medium Daily Digest we share 2 pieces;
a. ‘You Can Leave the Party, But Not the Programming: A Hard Truth About White Allyship’ by Dr. Leo Croft:
b. “Why Black People Who Pass For White Hear The Darndest Things“ by Dr. Allison Wiltz: https://momentum.medium.com/why-black-people-who-pass-for-white-hear-the-darndest-things-978723334f68
15. Below is information about a disturbing situation in the Penfield Central School District from the Penfield Anti-Racist Alliance.
16. Here is this week’s Urban League of Rochester – The Interrupter Newsletter
The Interrupter Newsletter – September 25, 2025
17. This week’s The Minority Reporter has two articles that we share;
a. ‘Family of Robert Brooks Joins Push for Prison Reform’
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/family-of-robert-brooks-joins-push-for-prison-reform
b. ‘Mayor Malik D. Evans to Kick Off Pillars of Hope Program’
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/mayor-malik-d-evans-to-kick-off-pillars-of-hope-program
18. One article from this week’s Beacon:
‘Campaign highlights historical contributions of immigrants’
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/09/22/campaign-highlights-historical-contributions-of-immigrants/
19. There are 4 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. Immigrants turn to virtual sermons, home Immigrants turn to virtual sermons, home
communion communion (Trump crackdown disrupting religious lives of thousands).
b. FBI: Threats at HBCUs are believed to be hoaxes FBI: Threats at HBCUs are believed to be hoaxes.
c. Cultural center focused on Black history.
d. NY panel seeks changes in HALT Act prison law NY panel seeks changes in HALT Act prison law.
e. Activists defend PA display on slavery Activists defend PA display on slavery (Making backup plans in case President’s House info is removed, altered).
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”.
20. Elders and Allies connected to Free The People ROC. We are a social justice group of seasoned black and white activists who came together after the death of Daniel Prude five years ago. We engage in various projects that connect to issues of racism in Rochester. One of those projects is our Saturday Vigils, where from 12 noon to 1pm, we stand together on various corners in Rochester and suburbs with our Black Lives Matter signs. It is a simple action but we are made aware each week from the responses we get, both positive and negative, that the message is an important reminder to those who drive by. We invite anyone who would like to jon us to contact me for information and for a sign. Contact Sister Barbara Staropoli for the next Saturday Vigil at bstaropolissj@gmail.com
21. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. It is not to consider and apply. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/scholarships
22. Here is a call for volunteers for the Judicial Observation Project. See flyer below:
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
23. 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)
24. Need a Multimedia Production Studio for your video or audio productions? Check out EXP Studio.
https://expstudio.org
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!