Today is Saturday, October 28. Wednesday, November 1/2 are All Saints’/All Souls Day, these days are dedicated to all those saints (Nov. 1) and souls (Nov. 2) that have passed away in the Christian faith as well as the Mexican and Aztec communities. This day is also Samhain, a Pagan and Wiccan festival marking the end of the harvest month. November 1 is also the start of National American Heritage Month. This month celebrates the contributions, cultures, traditions, histories of Native people to the United States. Thursday, November 2 is the Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie. The day when Haile Selassie ascended to the Ethiopian throne. This is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian year.
Quote of the Week:
“My choice is what I choose to do. And if I’m causing you no harm, it shouldn’t bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be. And if you’re causin’ me no harm, then…” Ben Harper, American musician and social activist.
Who was Ben Harper? See information below.
EVENTS:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. Dr. Frederick Jefferson invites you to join the MK Gandhi Center for Nonviolence for a four-week online book group, centered on Roxy Manning’s How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy. Meetings take place on Mondays, October 23 through November 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Learn more and register to attend.
2. Gary Domenico suggests that we attend the “WHAT’S SHAPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS?” program on November 9, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, hosted by ABC Streets Neighborhood Association. See details below.
3. Our friend Grequan Carter invites you to the Healing is Heroic Meditative Retreat presented by Eye of Nature Retreats on Saturday, November 11 from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (see attached flyer below and more information in the “Black Owned Businesses” section.
4. Matthew Geherin shares an annoucment about the Venture Jobs Foundation (Mission (venturejobs.org) 2023 Prosperity Conference on Tuesday, November 14, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. See details at the link below.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
5. Richard Glaser shares a piece from 17 Madison Street the National Susan B. Anthony Museum newsletter, “How Indigenous Women Championed Suffrage”.
6. Bill Wynne shares an article on the Black Madonna. There are 2 files to view here, the Painting/Mural and the article.
7. George Yeodan shares a link to a recording of a program presenting by the Mellon Foundation “Civic Engagement and the Determined Hope for the Humanities”.
Civic Engagement and the Determined Hope of the Humanities | Mellon Foundation
8. Here is a an announcement from the Pink Elephant Newsletter by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare; the “Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace” book has been released.”
(26) Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace is OUT TOMORROW! | LinkedIn
9. One article is provided below from this week’s Beacon; Putting the pandemic behind it, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its centennial season with an eye toward a future that blends the classics with more experimental programming and ensures the RPO is a force for good in the community.
10. We share an item from the latest edition of the CNN Newsletter Race Deconstructed this week:
A classic ‘love letter to Black families’ is brought back to life
11. Here are 7 of articles that deal with Race, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week. We list in order of appearance:
a. PROMISES MADE, PROMISES BROKEN (Participants in the ERG program often exclaim wonder about “how we got here?” with RCSD schools. This article does does not answer the question but provides a recent history).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0e62b4f39_134ad92
b. Baltimore to pay $48M to ‘Harlem Park Three’ (Black youth wrongly imprisoned for 40 years receive compensation).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=335660673_134ad92
c. CITY ON FIRE Clinton Avenue shows it is more than crime on a hot summer day (It is useful to reflect on how residents survive and thrive amidst the backdrop of violence).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=077ed8b53_134ad92
d. School resource officers do more harm than good (Opinion piece provides some insight as to why many on the RCSD School Board oppose SRO or police in schools).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=08cb7bf51_134ad92
e. Black women lead charge to ban chemical hair straightener (An issue White people may not deal with).
https://us7-bcdn.newsmemory.com/eebrowser/ipad/html5.check.23030816//action/php-script/callcrop_pdf.php?file=0@/rochesterdemocrat/20231023/L0xhVThoL0x5MUtuOWsrZkR5cHQweDhGaFNUUzlkckhXbVF0VXlKOGxIenYwSEc4Uk5OejNzYVlZZHZPR0E1Ug==/&crop=14-411-308-152&meddim=337-650&pSetup=rochesterdemocrat_live20151119&name=Democrat%20and%20Chronicle_20231023_A02_1&edition=Democrat%20and%20Chronicle&article=1&TAUID=273791&gmtoffset=240
f. Va. city council suspends comments (Hatred and incivility hid in the shadows).
g. Judge tosses Georgia’s political maps (An opportunity for Blacks to have more representation).
OPPORTUNITIES:
12. We’re hiring! ABC is looking to hire multiple positions.
Careers – Action for a Better Community (abcinfo.org)
13. The Urban League is always looking for qualified and committed people interested in helping others and building a stronger community.
If you would like to join the Urban League team, please click here for current opportunities.
14. Joseph Searles shared there are Open Positions at Trillium Health. See the attached list.
Please apply at www.trilliumhealth.org/careers!
Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
15. 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)
16. Our friend Grequan Carter invites you to the Healing is Heroic Meditative Retreat presented by Eye of Nature Retreats on Saturday, November 11 from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (see attached flyer below).
Join this transformative meditative retreat at Respite and Restoration at Lagom Landing: 7966 Reeds Corners Road, Dansville, NY 14437. This in-person event offers a unique opportunity to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Immerse yourself in a serene environment that encourages self-reflection, personal growth, remedying anxiety and PTSD.
hroughout the retreat, an expert facilitator will guide you through various meditation techniques, mindfulness exercises and therapeutic arts to nurture your spirit. Learn to cultivate inner peace, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being. Connect with like-minded individuals and share in the collective healing energy.
Escape the overwhelmingness of daily life and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Discover the hero within you as you navigate the path towards healing and self-empowerment. Take this chance to pause, reflect, and recharge.
From the sacred hours of: 11:00AM to 5:00PM dive into:
- Mystical aromatherapy sessions
- Powerful sound healing resonances
- Guided meditations rooted in age-old traditions
- Therapeutic group dialogues that bridge souls
- Serene nature trails that whisper tales of rootedness
- Creative arts to ignite your inner spark
And as the sun arcs overhead, indulge in a nourishing, healthy lunch, tailored to rejuvenate both body and spirit.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to embark on a healing adventure. Reserve your spot today, unlock your inner hero by Finding Peace Within the Stillness of Nature.
This Self-Care Investment is only $50.00.
In a gesture of gratitude for the paths you’ve walked, veterans are bestowed with a 20% discount.
The spirits of nature and the call to heal crescendo together, URGING SWIFT ACTION. Seats are a precious few and dwindling swiftly.
Embrace this beacon of transformation. YOUR TIME IS NOW! Reserve your sanctuary of healing and become the peace you seek.
That is all for this week!
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon Fridays.