Today is Saturday, April 4. We are currently in the Passover, the eight day celebration marking the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover ends Thursday, April 9. Tomorrow, Sunday, April 5 is Easter, the day Christians believe Jesus Christ, the Son of God rose from the dead. The Eastern Orthodox church is entering their Holy Week with Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 12.
Quote of the week: “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” Marvin Gaye born April 2, 1939 – died April 1, 1984, American singer and composer.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Marvin Gaye born April 2, 1939 – died April 1, 1984, American singer and composer.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marvin-Gaye
EVENTS
1. Urban League of Rochester – INTERRUPT RACISM™ Speaker Series, April 10, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, featuring Our Local History program; Jeanette Adams-Price, Syd Bell, and Shane Wiegand
Urban League of Rochester – April 2026 INTERRUPT RACISM™ Speaker Series
2. The 6th Annula RASE Community Update will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 15, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM as the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) enters its sixth year, the Commission will highlight progress made across Monroe County and outline the next phase of this critical work. Register at the link below:
3. Common Ground Health’s Annual Speak Life! Health Equity Conference is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. See link below for more information and for tickets.
4. Antisemitism 101 For Allies, free course offered by the Levine Center to End Hate to be held April 23rd, 11:30 – 1:00 (kosher lunch included). See attachment for details and to register. Registration is required by 4/20.
5. The film “The Ebony Canal: A Story on Black Infant Health” will play at the Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House at 900 East Avenue on April 26, 3:00 – 6:00 PM. See below for details and tickets.
The Ebony Canal: A Story on Black Infant Health
6. Clean Sweep | City of Rochester, Saturday, May 2, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Meet at ESL Field (Home of the Red Wings). This is teh 20th year of an event that brings together all area communities and individuals in service to the City. It is a mixing pot of all races, cultures and neighborhoods and a great way to get to know your neighbor. Register below:
https://www.cityofrochester.gov/clean-sweep
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
7. We share another post rom Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American blog. This one is about the retelling of history by the current presidential administration.
8. An Op Ed piece from the 3/29/26 D&C, although we are an anti-racism organization we need to develop tolerance for all and end hatred. ‘United in humanity (Pitting antisemitism against Islamophobia threatens our families)’
9. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “Where Did Obama Hurt You, White Folks?“ by Tim Wise:
b. “A fatal flaw of anti-racists“ by GDL:
c. “The Maury County Courthouse: Injustice in a Small Town“ by William Spivey:
10. Bill Wynne shares his latest and ninth essay from the series regarding the Declaration of Independence. If you recall he weaves the wisdom of Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Langston Hughes and others in the principles of the declaration:
11. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – April 2, 2026
12. Here is one article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
Why Black Americans Should Pay Close Attention to Birthright Citizenship Debate
13. Here are two articlescfrom this week’s Beacon:
a. The lessons a historic Black church teaches
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/04/01/the-lessons-a-historic-black-church-teaches/
b. A conversation with Eric Rosser Tickets, Friday, Apr 17 from 12 pm to 1 pm EDT |
Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversation-with-eric-rosser-tickets-1986484133518
14. There are 4 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Eastman Museum tearing down fence (Opening up the George Eastman property to be more welcoming to “our diverse community”)
b. Canandaigua town justice faces removal over racist remarks
c. U.S. sees major shifts over 5 decades (Report details country’s demographic changes (that concern White Supremacists))
d. Monroe investing in babies, mothers ($4.6M targets racial, economic disparities)
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”.
15. Lewis St. YMCA Food Cupboard is in need of donations. Can you or your organization help out? See below.
16. The City of Rochester announces ROC Youth Employment Network applications are now open, offering summer work experience to ages 14–20:
17. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. Application deadlines are approaching, so apply now. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/scholarships
18. The Rochester Area Community Foundations Scholarship Program is now open. 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:
19. 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)
20. Need a creative video and audio production studio where you can make magic? EXP has 5 of them, check them out, they produced ERG’s recent promotional video (link below):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aGqFQKLakBFEkpdLWnMQUvlY0wTw5Cq/view?usp=sharing
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.