Today is Saturday, April 25. We are currenlty in the Baha’i period of Ridvan that runs from April 21 through May 2. Ridvan commemorates the declaration of Baháúllah to his followers in 1863. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are major Baha’i holy days.
Quote of the week: “White folks hear the blues come out, but they don’t know how it got there.” Gertrude “Ma” Rainey born April 26, 2886 – died December 22, 1939, American singer, “Mother of the Blues”.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey born April 26, 2886 – died December 22, 1939, American singer, “Mother of the Blues”.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ma-Rainey
EVENTS
1.GEVA’s currently is presenting Furlough’s Paradise by a.k.payne through May 10. The program describes the play as “A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love and Moving Through Grief”. It is an exceptional dramatic performance, the visceral experience of two Black women that may contrast with the white person’s experience and challenges but sure to evoke an empathy for the character’s struggles. Check out show times and find tickets at “gevatheatre.org”.
2. 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
3. The Little Theatre’s (240 East Ave.) Black Cinema Series next Screening and Discussion is Monday, April 27 at 7:00 PM featuring the film ‘The Last Meal’. For information and tickets see link below.
4. George Yeadon suggests attending this virtual meeting offered by the Brennan Center for Justice, Wednesday, April 29 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. See below for more information and to register.
The Age of New Media (with V Spehar) | Brennan Center for Justice
5. The next Urban League of Rochester INTERRUT RACISM Speaker Series is Friday, May 1, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. See below for details and to register.
Urban League of Rochester – May 2026 INTERRUPT RACISM™ Speaker Series https://events.zoom.us/ev/ArBbcx29INpE8O-47F_OFWgw1-MSG2mxE56lN98yqlw1k9fyhsLw~AgOCVhg83VRESMCqIUZxTg-E2pFU9D4eTdZ54B2sFkzCv_zkkURTTxhtLw?lmt=1770217844000&utm_source=ULR+Main+List&utm_campaign=180257d92c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_02_06_30_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-7855ab9039-531506402&mc_cid=180257d92c&mc_eid=25818c1f26
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 the 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
7. The Center for Teen Empowerment hosts its Annual Community Lunch, Wednesday, May 6 from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. See below for details and tickets.
The Center for Teen Empowerment https://teenempowerment.org/2026-luncheon
8. The Center for Youth is hosting ‘The Verdict is Vogue’ silent auction fundraiser on Thursday, May 7 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at The Duke at Mercantile on Main, to support Rochester Teen Court. See below for information on Teen Court and this event.
https://www.centerforyouth.net/calendar/the-verdict-is-vogue/
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
9. Drew Saur shares this article from the NY Times; ‘DEI is Discriminatory. Agree or Disagree?’
10. Richard Glaser shares this 4-18-26 post by Karem Abdul-Jabbar. Worth reading.
11. Rebekah Meyer of Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) asks for your support and/or input on their Rental Assistance Assessment review. See information at link below. If you would like to receive any of the attachments/flyers referenced in the attached message contact “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
12. Suggest this piece of history published in the recent edition of the Mellon Foundation. See below.
Meet the Moore Family: American History, Hope, and Dreams | Mellon Foundation
13. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “What Does Re-Parenting of all Black Children in America Look Like?“ by William Spivey
b. “White America — None of You Will Ever Be in a Position to Tell a Black Person How to Feel About a…“ by Dr. Leo Croft
c. “You Treat Me Like a Nigger but Want Me to Fight for America“ by The Color of My Politics
14. Here is an article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
Seeing Jesus in the Machinery of Violence
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/seeing-jesus-in-the-machinery-of-violence
15. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/the-interrupter-newsletter-april-23-2026?e=b484f46c1d
16. Here are two articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. The roots of Maplewood’s resilience
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/04/23/the-roots-of-maplewoods-resilience/
b. New research shows rising class, falling race gaps in economic mobility
17. There are 4 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Trump HUD rule would evict 37,000 children (many Black and Brown children)
b. 6 laid off at police oversight board
c. Civil rights group accused of funding extremists
d. Rochester OKs sale of lot for townhomes over Rochester OKs sale of lot for townhomes over
objections objections
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”.
18. Lewis St. YMCA Food Cupboard is in need of donations. Can you or your organization help out? See below.
19. The City of Rochester announces ROC Youth Employment Network applications are now open, offering summer work experience to ages 14–20:
20. 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:
21. 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)
22. 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.