Today is Saturday, April 11. The Eastern Orthodox church is entering their Holy Week with Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 12. Tuesday, April 14 is the Sikh New Year, Vaisakhi and the celebration of spring harvest festival.
Quote of the week: “People don’t understand the kind of fight it takes to record what you want to record the way you want to record it.” Billie Holiday born April 7, 1915 – died July 17, 1959, American jazz singer.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Billie Holiday born April 7, 1915 – died July 17, 1959, American jazz singer.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billie-Holiday
EVENTS
1. Although today is the last day of the event, Liz Brown wanted you to be aware of the Haudenosaunee Peace Through Art show that runs today 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Seneca Art & Culture Center, Victor. See below for details.
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. Whether or not you watched the Woman’s Basketball National Championship semi-final game between the University of Conneticut and the University of South Carolina you should be aware of this incident and the lesson it teaches.
‘Dawn Staley’s remarks on rival’s outburst reflect a restraint familiar to Black women’
Dawn Staley’s remarks on rival’s outburst reflect a restraint familiar to Black women
8. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. Two Men, Two Histories: A Jew and a Black Man Rewrote the Rules
b. “The Historical Options to Resolve the Race Issue“ by William Spivey
c. “A British Documentary Led Me to My Town’s Racist Past“ by William Spivey:
9. Pat Mitchell provides two pieces of video history below:
a. A piece on the relationship between Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington and the contributions Rosenwald made to the Black community.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1184484066477722/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
b. This piece provides the history of the artist that wrote one of our most enduring folk songs>
https://www.facebook.com/reel/949445670959635/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
10. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/the-interrupter-newsletter-april-9-2026?e=25818c1f26
11. Liz Brown shares this request from FTP Elders and Allies to read and sign a petition to the Governor, the Senate and Assembly to support the raising of taxes to fund vital public programs. Read below.
A letter to the “three people in the room” negotiating the final budget – SIGN ON TO OUR JOINT LETTER: We are asking organizations to sign on to our coalition letter, Tax the Rich, Fund Our Future. You can review the letter HERE and SIGN ON HERE.
12. Here is a piece of history that most of us are not aware of, the story of Elizabeth Cotton.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1420081193251515&id=100057489427956
13. Here is one article from this week’s Beacon:
Celebrating the power of hope and resilience
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/04/08/celebrating-the-power-of-hope-and-resilience/
14. No articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
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. ERG Alumnus Suzanne Mayer shares information on The Hinge Neighbors proposal for self developing affordable housing (11 townhomes) at 125 Charlotte St. Please read and consider supporting.
16. Lewis St. YMCA Food Cupboard is in need of donations. Can you or your organization help out? See below.
17. The City of Rochester announces ROC Youth Employment Network applications are now open, offering summer work experience to ages 14–20:
18. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. Some application deadlines have passed other deadlines quickly approaching, so apply now. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/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. Graduations, weddings and family reunion season is upon us. Do not miss the opportunity for quality professional photos. Call Denise Batiste Photography of Rochester (see link below):
https://denisebatistephotography.com
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.