Today is Saturday, 3/07/2026. March is Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. We are currently in the Islamic holy festival of Ramadan honoring the first revelations to the Prophet Mohammed through 30 days of reflection and fasting from sun-up to sun-down ending March 8. We are also in the 46 days of Lent, Ash Wednesday, the Christian 46-day period of preparation for the Easter (March 28) through reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Quote of the week: Ralph Ellison born March 1, 1914 – died April 16, 1994, American author 3/1/1914 – 4/16/1994, American author and educator.
“I am an invisible man. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids – and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.”
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Ralph Ellison born March 1, 1914 – died April 16, 1994, American author 3/1/1914 – 4/16/1994, American author and educator.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ralph-Ellison
EVENTS
1.The Monroe County Department of Human Services will be presenting information on Financial Services benefits such as Emergency Assistance, Diversion Benefits, SNAP and more in two virtual sessions Monday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 – 3:30 PM. See below for more information. Please share this with others.
2. Kit Miller suggests attendance at the Six Nation Spirituality seminar on three (3) days, March 11, 18 and 25 from 7:15 – 8:30 PM at the Temple Sinai, 363 Penfield Rd, Rochester. This three-part series explores Haudenosaunee history, values, and teachings through story and tradition.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
3. We suggest this podcast from Reveal “Ibram X. Kendi vs. America’s “Antiracism Backlash”.
Ibram X. Kendi vs. America’s “Antiracism Backlash” – Reveal
4. We share Bill Wynne’s latest edition of his essay series on the Declaration of Independence.
https://www.wewynneauthor.com/2026/02/27/declaration-of-independence-essay-8-to-alter-or-abolish/.
5. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “African American Inventors’ Impact on Modern American Society” by Wayne Ince:
b. “Another Racist Professor Speaks Her Mind” by Frances A. Chia, Ph.D.
c. “Uncovering the Forgotten Terror of Black Kids Used as Alligator Bait in America“ by William Spivey:
6. Pat Mitchell provides a video from the Equal Justice Initiative; “Navigating presumptions of dangerous and guilt is exhausting”.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1323057529269424/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
7. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – March 5, 2026
8. Here are two articles from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. Uniting and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County
b. Feds Planning to put Immigration Detention Center in Rochester
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/feds-planning-to-put-immigration-detention-center-in-rochester
9. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Fairy Godmothers again provides low-cost prom Fairy Godmothers again provides low-cost prom
dresses dresses
b. Exhibition seeks to raise awareness of biases.
c. Elmira museum honoring escaped slave to expand.
d. U.S. aims to bring in more White S. Africans (Number is well above Trump’s program cap).
e. Why an account of a war long past matters today
f. Critics say mobile museums misleading (Executive: Freedom 250 truck choices intentional).
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”.
10. Clarissa Uprooted exhibit needs a new home
Clarissa Uprooted” exhibit has had a semi-permanent location at the Central Library for over a year but, now they are looking for a new location. Renee Long, head of the Clarissa Legacy Group has asked for assistance in locating a new space in downtown Rochester near the former Clarissa Street neighborhood. It is important that we preserve this important piece of Rochester’s history. Have space? For more information contact: info@clarissastreetlegacy.com
11. 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
12. 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:
13. 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)
14. Enjoy wine and a great atmosphere? Check out the Apogee Wine Bar:
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.