Today is Saturday, 1/24/2026. Monday, January 26 is the Buddhist celebration of Bodhi Day, the day of Enlightenment of Budda, ca. 596 B.C.E. Monday, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of Christ; a Christian feast day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
Quote of the week: “If I were singing alone, I would do certain things and put some artistry into the music, and that doesn’t change when I step out in front of an audience, although then it is entertainment for them. But it has to please and entertain me before it does them.” William Warfield born January 22, 1920 – died August 25, 2002, American bass-baritone.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: William Warfield born January 22, 1920 – died August 25, 2002, American bass-baritone.
Note: Mr. Warfield was born in West Helena, AR and grew up in Rochester, NY. His nephew, Thomas Warfield, an RIT Professor of Practice, administers a scholarship in his uncle’s name at the Eastman School.
Here is a YouTube video of Mr. Warfield singing his signature song from “Porgy and Bess” with his wife-to-be, Leontyne Price, as Bess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hDtUNSrhqI&t=310s
EVENTS:
1. George Yeadon and Frank Staropoli share that the Pittsford CommUNITY is pleased to announce: The Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Series. The series concludes with an interfaith service on Sunday January 25th from 3-5pm. All events are free and open to the public. ASL interpreting will be provided. See flyer below:
2. 2026 Daniel’s Law Advocacy Day will take place on Tuesday, January 27th in Albany. See information at link below.
3. Nazareth University is holding its “King for a Day” community service day as well as other events throughout January. See below for details.
https://www2.naz.edu/culture-community-belonging/mlk-day-celebration
4. RIT is holding its annual “Expressions of King’s Legacy” with keynote speaker Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the RIT Gordon Field House. Please see below for details and to register.
https://share.google/HRSUWzSluEt68eigD
5. The University of Rochester, Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address with keynote speaker Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign held Thursday, January 29, 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 pm in the Strong Auditorium at 417 Alumni Rd. See below for more information and to register.
https://www.rochester.edu/oee/martin-luther-king-jr-commemorative-address/
https://events.rochester.edu/event/mlk-address-2026
6. George Yeadon shares this information on a number of programs offered by America’s Town Hall. We suggest the The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality offered on Monday, February 2, 1 p.m. ET. See below for this one and others.
7. Author Bill Wynne will present his essay “The American Creed: Promise and Paradox” premised on the key principles of the Declaration of Independence and portrayed through the collective lenses of three famous black icons: orator Frederick Douglass, activist Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and poet Langston Hughes.I wanted to let you know of a presentation I will be doing on Thursday, February 5th, 2:00 PM at the Webster Public Library. Please see the details below as posted on the library’s website event page for February (see https://websterlibrary.libcal.com/event/14994246).
8. Registration is now open 5th Annual Antiracist Education Conference: Action for Equality to be held, Saturday, February 28, 8:45 AM – 12:20 PM. This event is virtual and free. See below for more information and to register.
2026 Conference 8.5×11 Flyers – Google Slides
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
9. We repeat this information. Are you aware of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies? Check out the webiste and the legislation that commissioned it at the links below.
New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies | The State of New York
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies is tasked with examining the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the impact these forces continue to have in the present day. Governor Hochul signed bill S.1163-A/A.7691 establishing the Commission on December 19, 2023.
10. RMAPI, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative asks your help in spreading awareness about their ‘Our Voices, Our Power’ initiative through your network. Critical safety net programs are at risk, please see the link below and sign up to receive the “stories” of impact and other information.
11. Steve Gaudioso shares a link to a New York Times article reporting on the impact that the current Federal Administration’s actions to dismantle DEI is having on students’ college applications.
12. Dr. Sandy Mayer shares this article from AXIOS: “The Civil Rights era is losing its grit on yound Americans”
The Civil Rights era is losing its grip on young Americans
13. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “What White Americans Get Wrong About Their Toxic Cultural Identity.” by Walter Rhein
b. “Creators Of The ‘Whites Only’ Commune In Arkansas Upset That Nobody Cares About Their Project“ by Lucy M.
c. “Martin Luther King, Jr: 2. The Sanitized Dream and the Silenced Man“ by William Spivey
14. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
http://eepurl.com/jxuRbY
15. Here is one article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. MLK Day Event in Rochester Sparks Community Dialogue on Black Economic Independence
16. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in 9 D&C this past week.
a. REMARKABLE ROCHESTERIANS LUCY COLMAN, (1817-1906) (advocated for abolition, suffrage, freethought)
b. Beloved Rochesterian Dies at Age 99 (Midge Thomas)
c. GREETINGS FROM THE COMMISSION (Rochester MLK Jr. Day Commission)
d. King supported universal basic income
e. Trump marks MLK Day after facing criticism
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”.
17. The Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network Voices of Faith on Immigration Team is providing a venue for requesting help for area Haitian families.
18. 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
19. 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:
20. 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)
21. Planning a corporate retreat or a strategic planning session? Check out MYRetreat Chocolate Mindfulness program:
https://www.chocolatemindfulness.co
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If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.