Today is Saturday, May 2. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month. Today is the last day of the Baha’i period of Ridvan. Ridvan commemorates the declaration of Baháúllah to his followers in 1863.
Quote of the week: “Some days, you’ve just got to get your warrior on and take that first step. And when you do, bring everybody behind you and don’t care what they look like.” Michelle Howard born April 30, 1960, American admiral.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Michelle Howard born April 30, 1960, American admiral.
https://www.britannica.com/search?query=michelle+howard
Announcing the next Exploring Racism Group Special Information Session, Tuesday, June 9. Find all information at the link.
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. Clean Sweep | City of Rochester, Today, 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
3. State Senator Samra Brouk’s 5th annual Community Baby Shower takes place on Sunday, May 3. The shower will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave. It will include raNes and giveaways. See link below for more information.
4. 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
5. 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/
6. Christine advises us of a new PBS documentary about: “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause” airing on PBS on 5/19. See the link below for info: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
7. Read any good books lately? We have a section in our website for books read and recommended by ERG participants and others. You will find it at https://exploringracism.org/recommended-books/. Below is a book that I read recently along with a review by the Washington Independent Review of Books. This book is about these remarkable individuals but more about the history of the period they lived through, the politcal struggles and yes, racism.
Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America | Washington Independent Review of Books https://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/kings-and-pawns-jackie-robinson-and-paul-robeson-in-america
8. John Engels shares this article from the Atlantic that provides insights on harm anti-racism curriculum has done to the performance of K-12 student test scores. What are your thoughts?
9. Here is Bill Wynne’s latest essay from his year long series on the Declaration of Independence, this one titled “Jeffersons Theory of Democratic Redesign”.
10. The ROC Community Table was organized in November 2024 to bring together community leaders. advocates. and organizations in a collective effort to anticipate and address challenges and opportunities arising from changes brought about by the new administration. Since then we have met and talked to most all of our federal, state and local leaders about the issues affective our community. Most recently, City Council President Melendez shared an overview of his study of the Rochester area homelessness situation and thoughts on remedies. Below are the notes from that meeting and his presentation on his report.
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. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “Candace Owens Is Not Getting a Wake Up Call. She Is Getting a Bill.“ by Fazer Domino
b. Why We Need More Empathy for Black Women in America“ by Dr. Allison Wil
c. “Robert Purvis and the First Black Conventions“ by The Color of My Politics
13. Pat Mitchell shares these videos that should be of interest.
a. This is a story of selflessness resulting in a public outpouring:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4248865268776286/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
b. This story shares a response to discriminatory real estate practices that ends in a surpise:
14. Here are two articles from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. Rochester school budget debate intensifies, with both criticism and cautious support emerging
b. May Day 2026: Rochester rally to spotlight Black workers, economic justice
15. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – April 30, 2026
16. Here are two articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. A toxic legacy and a chance for renewal
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/04/30/a-toxic-legacy-and-a-chance-for-renewal/
b. Rochester’s crime decline continues in first quarter
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/04/28/rochesters-crime-decline-continues-in-first-quarter/
17. There are 6 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. ICE detains Wayne County farmworker
b. ‘THEY DON’T SEE ME AS AN AMERICAN’
c. A BIG IMPACT (How a tiny island and a small minority helped America win its
freedom)
d. Lawmakers seek boost in upstate transit funding (major source of transportation for the poor).
e. Food aid doesn’t make people loafers (aids people of all races).
f. Community baby shower offers ‘fourth trimester’ help
OPPORTUNITIES:
18. 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”.180. Liz Brown urges you tocall ASAP about the bills in the NYS legislature. Everyone for Dolores! On April 22, Dolores Bustamante—a farmworker, mother, grandmother, activist and community leader from Wayne County—was detained at her ICE check-in appointment in Buffalo. She has now been moved to the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana. More information is provided below at the 2nd link. Your state representatives are listed.
Dignity Not Detention Act (S316A/A4181) and NY4All Act (S2235/A3506).
19. The City of Rochester announces ROC Youth Employment Network applications are now open, offering summer work experience to ages 14–20:
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. Searching for special, even intoxicating fragrances, beauty, and personal care products? Check ou Paula Howard Essentials at the website below or look for her at the Rochester Public Market.
Paula Howard Essentials® https://www.phessentials.co/
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.