Today is Saturday, December 30. Tomorrow, Sunday, is New Year’s Eve, the day many of us look back at the year past followed by New Year’s Day the day we look ahead with a fresh start to a new year. Tomorrow is also the last day of Kwanzaa, the 7-day holiday often celebrated by Black Americans that was inspired by African harvest celebrations. January 1, 1863, was the day that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect (find it below in the NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES section).
Quote of the Week:
“The reason I pushed so hard is because I was an inner-city kid who went to a suburban school. From a young age, I knew what it was like to deal with both macro and microaggressions. There has always been something inside of me that wanted to prove I was more than a stereotype, and it just seemed natural to use ballet to push back against myths about women of color.” Aesha Ash, Rochester native. Born December 30, 1977, the professional ballerina and teacher, was the first African American full-time faculty member at the New York City School of American Ballet
Featured Civil Rights Activist/Abolishonist/Leader for this week: Rochester native, Aesha Ash. See link below.
EVENTS:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. The Urban League of Rochester (UL-R) will have a virtual Community Prayer on Tuesday, January 2 at 8:00 AM. This virtual gathering is open to all, a testament to the communities collective strength and unity. UL-R urges you to unite in reflection, cherish the blessings we’ve received in the past year and nurture our shared hopes for a glorious 2024.
2. ABC has announced it’s 2024 Signature Conference Series – Beyond Trauma…A Journey to Wellness, January 11, 18 & 25. See details below.
3. Our friend, Nanette Massey is hosting a 3 part program titled “Reckoning With Racism for Nurses” with two hour sessions over three Saturdays; January 13, 20, and 27. See updated details below.
3rd Doctor-speaker added, see details (mailchi.mp)
4. The Webster FIRE organization shares information on a program by the Antiracist Curriculum project scheduled for Saturday, January 13 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
5. Shanique Byrd, Tocsin Magazine reminded us of the Black Cinema Series at the Little Theatre. The next film is shown on Saturday, January 13 at 7:00 PM. See below.
American Fiction (with discussion) – Jan. 13 | The Little Theatre
6. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday is Monday, January 15. The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s 2024 program is listed below.
7. RIT’s 42nd Expressions of King’s Legacy program featuring keynote Dr. Ibram X. Kendi on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. To register, see below.
Expressions of King’s Legacy | Diversity and Inclusion | RIT
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
8. The Emanicpation Proclamation issued by President Abramham Lincoln took effect on January 1, 1863. Find it at the link below:
9. John Engels shared this podcast that is well worth listening to and reading (a subscription is not required to read/view, a good piece for follow-up group discussion).:
10. Laurie Mahoney shares this is a quick view that simplifies the history of the scoring system, its negative impacts on Blacks and Latinos and how to improve.
11. We just learned of the Standup to Jewish Hate program (see below). A program like this is consistent with the ERG recognition that White Nationalists (whose intention is to form an all-white society) use antisemitism to convince us that a Jewish-controlled cabal is promoting the empowerment of Black and Brown people. We denounce all forms of hate, including Islamophobia.
#StandUpToJewishHate 🟦 – Uniting to Combat Antisemitism
12. Here are 6 of articles that deal with Race, Hate or Intolerance found in D&C over the past week. We list in order of appearance:
a. ‘Reverse discrimination’ claims rising (it may be appropriate when all things are equal but,…).
b. In the Deep South, being Black and pregnant can be dangerous ((from this article one wouldn’t believe health outcomes of Blacks and Whites are equal).
c. LITIGATING EQUITY (we strive to stay away from politics but this article informs the why and how most Black AGs’ approach to the law).
d. Canandaigua sign recognizes Skenoh Island (showing respect for people who’s land we live on).
e. Inter-district magnet school now closer to reality; would be in city (after decades of attempting to intergrate Rochester schools a community wide integrated school is planned).
f. La. gets new power on carbon capture (although viewed as environmentally positive, this move could further harm communities of Black and Brown people).
OPPORTUNITIES:
13. Jennifer Suppe shares information on the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards. See information at the link below:
14. Joseph Searles shares information on the 2024 Ibero American Action League Scholarhip program. See below.
15. The Community Foundation (RACF) provides scholarships and awards helping students achieve their goals in education and life. Check out the link below.
Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation (racf.org)
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:
16. 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)
17. Looking for a program to immerse your employees in experiential wellness practices that decrease stress to increase productivity and improve retention? Check out MYRetreat, a wellness app that pairs chocolate with mindfulness to dramatically improve habit formation. Also, see the business case for MYRetreat below that.
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.