Today is Saturday, November 2. November is American Indian Heritage month, which celebrates and honors the history and
culture of Native Americans and Indigenous people in the United States. Today Christians observe All Souls Day, the commemoration of all faithful Christians who are now dead. November 2nd also marks the end of the Hindu Diwali, Festival of Lights. On November 2nd the Bahá’í observe the Birth of Báb ; the anniversary of the birth in 1819 of Siyyid, “the Báb,” the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith, in Shíráz, Persia. On Sunday, November 3, the Bahá’í observe the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the anniversary of the birth in 1817 of Bahá’u’lláh, prophetfounder of the Bahá’í Faith, in Núr, Persia. Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day, a day set by U.S. law for the election of public officials.
Quote of the Week:
Quote: “There are people in our country, in our communities, who are being marginalized and discriminated against every single day. I fight for them.” Mazie Hirono, Japanese-born American politician, U.S. Senator representing the state of Hawaii, born November 3, 1947 – present
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolitionist/Pioneer for this week:
Mazie Hirono, Japanese-born American politician, U.S. Senator representing the state of Hawaii, born November 3, 1947 – present
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mazie-Hirono
EVENTS
1. ERG Alumni and Participants please open the link directly below. The Exploring Racism Group program is for individual work on our own bias, prejudice and contribution to racism. The Interrupt Racism program is for organization teams to work to enhance policies, practices, and cultures to create a more equitable work environment where all employees can thrive. Please consider for your organization.
INTERRUPT RACISM — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
2. Richard Glaser shares information on the opening reception for the exhibition “On Native Land” Monday, November 4 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at City Hall, Rochester, N.Y.. This powerful exhibit features Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island, reflecting on the theme, “What does this land mean to you as an Indigenous person of Turtle Island?” Through a variety of artistic expressions, these creators share their personal and cultural connections to the land. Program details can be found at the link below.
2024 “On Native Land” Art Exhibit | Native Made
3. John Rodriguez informs us the local chapter of the Association for Talent Development- Roc ATD is presenting:
The DEI Advantage: Crafting Breakthrough Learning Experiences for Today’s Workforce on Thursday, November 7, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. See below for details.
https://www.rocatd.org/event-5860411
4. The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is presenting an event on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 PM to learn with Dr. Noam Weissman, Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media, who will provide clarity and nuance on topics that are often weaponized by anti-Israel groups. See below for details and to register.
5.The Rochester Intergenerational Choir Day is taking place November 16, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm at the Hochstein School, 50 N. Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY.
Maryellen Giese shares “Through this Community SINGING EVENT, we hope to bring together many Ensembles of all ages from area Churches, Schools and Community Choirs, as well as individuals who simply like to sing. They will learn to improvise American Negro Spirituals with an expert scholar. They’ll also work on 2 new DEI songs with the composers of those songs. We’ll put on a short informal performance at the end of our day. Each choir will leave prepared and ready to perform this repertoire in their home venues.” See link below to sign up for the program.
6. Action for a Better Community (ABC) will hold it’s 2025 Signature Conference on January 9th & 16th (virtual both days) and January 23rd, In-person Awards Breakfast. ABC is celebrating 60 years of “Empowering Communities and Inspiring Change”. Save the dates. More information to follow on programs and presentations as well as sponsorship opportunities.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
7. We try not to support politcal views with our sharing but there were 2 articles this past week in the D&C and U.S. Today that provide a perspective of the range of views of Black voters.
a. Casting a ballot: Duty vs. expression
b. Black Americans share Jim Crow memories
8. Find this opinion piece posted in the Minority Reporter this week, ‘Project 2023 will assault Black people first then everybody else’.
9. Here is the Urban League of Rochester’s latest newsletter. Please check on many important events contained in this newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/micro-advantage-loan-program-13857573?e=25818c1f26
10. Here is the latest from The Pink Elephant Newsletter, by Janice Gassam Asare, PhD., ‘Combating Misogynoir This Election Season And Beyond’.
11. If you do not receive it, we share Bill Wynne’s Monthly Update.
12. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. FEELING SEEN (A guide to Rochester’s 19th Ward public art).
b. Leaders say ‘time has come’ for slavery reparations discussion (A discussion among Commonwealth leaders).
c. ‘I SHOULDN’T BE CRIMINALIZED’ (how do we provide for the needs of the homeless?).
d. Native leaders look forward after apology (Acknowledgment of abuses at boarding schools ‘long overdue’).
e. Native Americans face voting hurdles (they continue to suffer injustices).
OPPORTUNITIES: Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
13. Interested in scholarships for next year’s college expenses? Check out the Scholarships that the Urban League of Rochester organizes. Applications open November 1st.
Scholarships — Urban League of Rochester (urbanleagueroc.org)
14. The Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF) Scholarship program portal will open on December 1, 2024.
Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation (racf.org)
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. Looking for a place that serves great Jamacian food? Check out Nin’s Jamaican Restaurant. See below.
https://nins-jamaican-restaurant.business.site
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!