Today is Saturday, November 22. November is Native American Heritage month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures and traditions, and histories of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Tomorrow, November 23 is the Catholic Feast of Christ the King, a solemnity that honors Jesus Christ as the Lord of all creation. Monday, November 24, is the Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib a commemoration of the 9th Guru of the Sikhs, who was killed by Mughal rulers in 1675 for defending Hindus facing forcible conversion to Islam. Thursday, November 27 is Thanksgiving Day, the U.S. holiday commemorating a feaast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Thursday, November 27 through Friday, November 28 is the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha the Baha’i this day commemorates when the appointment of Baha’u’llah’s eldest son as the new Head of the Faith.
Quote of the week: “I thoroughly enjoy the work I do in helping motivate and empower young girls to celebrate and love their natural selves.” Dominique Dawes born November 20, 1976 – present; American gymnast and motivational speaker.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Dominique Dawes born November 20, 1976 – present; American gymnast and motivational speaker.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_Dawes
Attention; New Half Day ERG program: Below you will find a link to a 90 second video message from the CEO of a private company in the Rochester area introducing an ERG Exploring Racism Group special half-day seminar on Thursday, January 15. Please talk to and share with friends, colleagues and relatives requesting that they consider attendance. https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aGqFQKLakBFEkpdLWnMQUvlY0wTw5Cq/view?usp=sharing
To register, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3og5iNzdUz9qoG2e45FRliVE9l1WfEMR70DVVbGTRJW41Mw/viewform?usp=header
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 #14 below for more information.
2. Concerned about our Democracy? Steve Martin suggests joining the Constitutional Crisis Call, Wednesday, November 26 from noon to 1:00 PM and every Wednesday in front of the Federal Building on State St., Rochester. See below for details.
3. Mellissa made me mindful that the next Chocolate Mindfulness & Mocktails happening Nov. 29th 3-4pm at ALTBAR. This event is free for executive women who RSVP. RSVP by emailing info@chocolatemindfulness.com
4. Join the Native Made Market on Nov. 29, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. See link and flyer below.
https://nativemadehq.com/2025-native-made-market/
5. Native American Community Services, The Good Mind Principles & Our Tradition of Caring, Dinner, Saturday, November 29 at Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. See flyer below for mor information.
6. The Urban League of Rochester- Virtual Speaker Series next program will be Friday, December 5, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM featuring Dr. Candice Lucas and members of the ROC Community Table. Register at the link below.
7. Laurie Mahoney and Deni Mack share information on an upcoming Human Rights Conference to be held Sunday, December 14, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Islamic Center of Rochester on Westfall Road. See link below for details.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES
8. Drew Saur provides this astonishing piece from the Washington Post ‘U.S. WWII cemetery in the Netherlands removes displays about Black troops’.
9. From the Medium Daily Digest we share 3 pieces;
a. “The Knee Jerk Response To Keep Black Folks Mad“ by Blackthelma:
https://medium.com/@blackthelma1/the-knee-jerk-response-to-keep-black-folks-mad-d3659b9e3b52
b. “This Is What Censorship Looks Like in a National Park: The First Park Sign That Came Down“ by Elizabeth Villano:
c. “I Fought for Civil Rights and All I Got Was Juneteenth (Part 1)“ by William Spivey:
10. Here is this week’s Urban League of Rochester – The Interrupter Newsletter
Gmail – The Interrupter Newsletter – November 20, 2025
11. Here is one article from this week’s Beacon:
‘Expanded lead testing reveals more cases’
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/11/19/expanded-lead-testing-reveals-more-cases/
12: Here is one article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
‘Former School Without Walls Student Dr. Anqesha Murray-Cody is Shaping Science Culture’
13. There are 7 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C this past week.
a. ‘It is a safe space’: Why Lilac Library plays vital role in city.
b. USDA used keywords to identify grants for cuts.
c. Temporary measure or permanent condition? (Rochester has been under gun violence state of emergency for 3
years )
d. North Clinton Ave. feels tension of Rochester’s gun crisis, city’s response.
e. Study: Aid reductions imperil millions of lives Study (Cuts threaten decades of global health progress).
f. Neo-Nazi leader admits to plot to poison Jewish kids (this prosecution has received little media coverage).
g. Rochester plans 22 new affordable homes in Upper Falls neighborhood.
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”.
14. 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
15. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. It is not too early to consider and apply. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/scholarships
16. The Rochester Area Community Foundations Scholarship Program will open December 1. Check out the link below for Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation
https://www.racf.org/scholarships/search-for-scholarships/
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
17. 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)
18. Need to get your body and mind in shape and change your life? Checkout Mindful Warrior Fitness, see below:
Training & Nutrition Solutions | Mindful Warrior
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!