Today is Saturday, November 23. November is American Indian Heritage month, which celebrates and honors the history and culture of Native Americans and Indigenous people in the United States. Thursday, November 28 is Thanksgiving Day, the day to express gratitude for the blessings of the year and to celebrate the harvest. Friday, November 29 is Native American Heritage Day, a civil holiday observed on the day after Thanksgiving intended to help all to recognize what land we are on, participate in Native American cultural events and engage with Native American communities.
Quote of the Week: “The essence of America – that which really unites us – is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion – it is an idea – and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.” Condoleeza Rice, American educator and politician, who served as national security adviser and secretary of state, born November 14, 1954.
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolitionist/Pioneer for this week:
Condoleeza Rice, American educator and politician, who served as national security adviser and secretary of state, born November 14, 1954.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Condoleezza-Rice
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. Laurie Mahoney shares that there will be a Rally before the Rochester City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26 at 5:00 PM before the 5:30 PM Council meeting to support the passage of the Good Cause Eviction Protection legisation. See information below.
3. Garth Fagan Dance returns to their home base in Rochester, NY, at MCC Theater for a three-day showcase, December 6-8. This performance celebrates their 54-year legacy of captivating audiences with innovative choreography, a distinct dance technique, and artistic excellence. See details below:
Garth Fagan Dance Puts Rochester on the Global Map: Join Us December 6-8 For Our 2024 Home Showcase
4. The Little Theatre’s Black Cinema Series features the film ‘JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY’, Screening and Discussion, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 7:00pm. Little Theatre 1 (240 East Ave.) Doors open at 6:30pm
Black Cinema Series | The Little Theatre
5. 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”. Here are the program and presentation details as well as sponsorship opportunities.
6. George Yeadon shares that registration is now open for RIT’s Expressions of King’s Legacy featuring Deborah Archer to be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. See flyer below.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
7. John Engels shares this informative article that impacts the health of high achieving Black youth. Find it below.
8. Here is the Urban League of Rochester’s latest newsletter. Please check on the many important events contained in this newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/micro-advantage-loan-program-13858073?e=25818c1f26
9. Here is one article from the Minority Reporter this week on N.Y.’s Clean Slate Act.
Clean Slate Act Seals Millions of Criminal Records in New York
10. Here is the latest from The Pink Elephant Newsletter, by Janice Gassam Asare, PhD., ‘Trump Wants To Close The Department of Education’. Here is the potential impact:
11. There are 12 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week.
a. Leadership program was ‘love letter’ to Black women (lessons will most likely be needed moving forward).
b. DIGGING IT! (a must see art gallery in Rochester’s 19th ward).
c. PAB’s authority to probe police misconduct challenged (Will the PAB ever fulfill the intent of the voters?).
d. Posters at UR focus on Jewish employees (all forms of hate and intimidation must be rejected).
e. Tubman posthumously honored as general (honoring a courageous American).
f. Gentrification isn’t inevitable (here are some examples of success).
g. Ancient mounds found in Wis. cemetery (sacred nature of mounds disregarded by settlers).
h. PAB will still investigate police misconduct. (the voters overwhelmingly supported the PAB, will their voices be heard?)
i. State urged to call off interdistrict sharing plan (Is the fear that it could lead to integration in some districts?).
j. Coalition tackles pharmacy closures (addressing the pharmacy dessert).
k. Advocates say noncitizens should prepare for Trump (what steps to take in the face of mass deportation).
l. GOP eyes new era of college oversight (deregulate everything except “wokeness”).
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”.
12. 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)
13. 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:
14. 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)
15. Looking for a Black-owned grooming parlor (barbering and more) in Rochester, NY? Check out Enhanced GentleMen Grooming Parlor. See below.
https://www.enhancedgentlemen.com
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.
Thank you!