Today is Saturday, 3/28/2026. We are nearing the end of the season of Lent, the Christian 46-day period of preparation for Easter (April 5) through reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, Sunday is the Christian observation of Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the day people laid palms on the road as Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. Wednesday, April 1 is the Passover, the eight day celebration marking the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Thursday, April 2 is Holy Thursday, the day Christians commemorate the institution of the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Friday, April 3 is Good Friday, the day Christians commemorate the day that Jesus Christ was crucified. Sunday, April 5 is Easter, the day Christians believe Jesus Christ, the Son of God rose from the dead.
Quote of the week: “You cannot define a person on just one thing. You can’t just forget all these wonderful and good things that a person has done because one thing didn’t come off the way you thought it should come off.” Aretha Franklin born March 25, 1942 – died August 16, 2018, American “Queen of Soul”.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Aretha Franklin born March 25, 1942 – died August 16, 2018, American “Queen of Soul”.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aretha-Franklin
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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
6. John Rodriguez shares this video discussion by Black Leaders including a former Rochester leader on their experience of the DEI Backlash.
7. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “The Official Definition of Lynching and Why it Excludes Potentially Thousands of Murders“ by William Spivey:
b. “I Am Not Your Diversity Lesson, Your Moral Stepping Stool, or the Negro You Practice On“ by The Color of My Politics on Medium:
c. “REPARATIONS: No More Studies Are Necessary“ by The League of Activated AfroAsiatic American Women
8. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/the-interrupter-newsletter-march-26-2026?e=25818c1f26
9. Here are two articles from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a Rochester Leaders Push for Charter School Funding Parity as Budget Talks Continue
b. Annual Speak Life! Health Equity Conference Returns
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/annual-speak-life-health-equity-conference-returns
10. Here are two articlescfrom this week’s Beacon:
a. City heralds start of Bull’s Head streets project
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/03/24/city-heralds-start-of-bulls-head-streets-project/
b. Police surveillance and privacy
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/03/26/police-surveillance-and-privacy/
11. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. DOJ seeks to drop case tied to police killing of Breonna Taylor
b. Why some Rochester residents are working out
c. KS case shows possible SAVE Act impact
d. Native American Hall of Fame finds new home
e. What it means for police officers who face decertifcation
f. Target boycott garners more public attention
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”.
12. Lewis St. YMCA Food Cupboard is in need of donations. Can you or your organization help out? See below.
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. 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
16. 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:
17. 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)
18. 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.