Today is Saturday, 3/14/2026. 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 endingThursday, March 19 – Friday, March 20 is the Islamic festival of Fid al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast, Ramadan. We are currently in the season of Lent, the Christian 46-day period of preparation for the Easter (March 28) through reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ. Wednesday, March 18 is the Hindu celebration of Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti, the anniversary of the birth of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and yogi who was known for his message of the harmony of religions. Saturday, March 21 is the Baha’i festival of Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year.
Quote of the week: Timothy Zachery Mosley (Timbaland) born March 10, 1972 – present, American music producer and performer.
“I don’t repeat myself and I don’t look back because everything is hard work and the only way forward is to continue to be creative.”
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Timothy Zachery Mosley (Timbaland) born March 10, 1972 – present, American music producer and performer.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Timbaland
EVENTS
1. 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.
2. Shannon Regelsberger shares McQuaid Jesuit is hosting Black Student Union Summit – Shattering Limitations on Thursday, April 9. Registration deadline: March 20, info attached,
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9pOybAy5rCZ2YZmNcux-Yfp-wk22uAGMC-m2LUfZGBu0qCQ/viewform
3. Sister Beth LeValley shares that Protecting Human Rights will be held on March 26, 7:00 to 8:30 PM, First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. See below for details.
4. 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
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
5. Here is a piece from Heather Cox Richardson’s Letter from an American providing the history of the civil rights marches from the Edmond Pettus bridge to Montgomery, AL.
(1) March 6, 2026 – by Heather Cox Richardson
6. Richard Glaser shares this image from the Gandhi Center that you should find inspirational:
7. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “How Much Do You Really Know About the Tuskegee Experiment“ by William Spivey on Medium:
b. “Skating on Black Ice“ by Dr. Leo Croft
c. “What’s the Difference Between Indentured Servitude and Chattel Slavery?“ by William Spivey
8. Pat Mitchell provides two videos this week:
a. This one, although it starts as commentary about AG Pam Bondi it is about human trafficking and slavery. It reveals shocking insights that I was unaware of.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1211233634537680/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
b. This one is an inspiring story about a wrongly incarcerated man using his art to make a remarkable life after his release.
9. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – March 12, 2026
10. Here are two articles from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. LaShay Harris Hosts Fourth Annual Senior Estate Planning Summit Focused on Aging, Wealth Preservation
b. Unlocking Potential, Disrupting Limits: Dr. Shalonda Garfield on Justice, Literacy, and Transformative Leadership
11. Here is an article from this week’s Beacon:
Love for all, hatred for none: A history of Rochester’s Ahmadiyya mosque
12. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Report finds racial skew in police cam placement (City’s minority areas face triple the surveillance).
b. AG secures new protections for displaced Rochester tenants.
c. From grief to growth (Youth center opens on Dewey Avenue).
d. Women’s rights convention was held in Rochester in 1848.
e. FEATURED OBITUARY Sherman Scott RPD captain led by quiet example.
f. Advocates criticize GOP walkout at Muntaqim forum (Is there no redemption for someone that has served their jail term?).
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”.
13. The City of Rochester announces the Upstate NY MWBE Conference, March 30 – April 1, 2026. See below for details.
https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/finance-department/upstate-ny-mwbe-conference
14. The City of Rochester announces ROC Youth Employment Network applications are now open, offering summer work experience to ages 14–20:
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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:
18. 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)
19. 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.