Today is Saturday, May 16. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month. Thursday, May 21 through Saturday, May 23 is the Jewish celebration of the spring harvest season and the gift of the Torah, Shavuot. Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 24 is the Baha’i’ Declaration of the Bab marking the inception of the Baha’i faith in 1844.
Quote of the week: “For a long time I’ve wished to add my voice to those that are now protesting against lynching.” William Grant Still born May 11, 1895 – died December 3, 1978, American composer and conductor.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: William Grant Still born May 11, 1895 – died December 3, 1978, American composer and conductor.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Grant-Still
Announcing the next Exploring Racism Group Special Information Session, Tuesday, June 9. Find all information at the preceding link.
EVENTS
1.Christine advises us of a new PBS documentary about: “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause” airing on PBS on May 19 @ 9:00 PM. See the link below for info: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/
2. Monica Gebell shares information on the Mort Skirboll Lecture on Antisemitism with Dr. Rachel Fish on Monday, June 1. See details below.
3. The next Urban League Interrupt Racism Speaker Series is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. See below for details.
4. It is not too early to make plans for Juneteenth. The City of Rochester 2026 Juneteenth Festival & Parade are scheduled for Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20. See below for details.
2026 Juneteenth Festival – Rochester Area Community Foundation https://www.racf.org/about/events/2026-juneteenth-festival/
5. Are you aware of NYS Abolition Commemoration Day? Monday, July 13, 2026, time to be confirmed at Rochester’s Maplewood Park. See background information below.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
6. “America is Very Much a Racist Country, Part 1: The Supreme Court“ by William Spivey:
7. We repeat “With the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act with its decision to strike race from consideration when defining voting districts we need to understand what happened, its implications and plan an action to respond: find background information and path forward at the following link”:
8. We repeat “In preparation for NYS Abolition Commemoration Day it is important to know that some of the biggest names that we pass by everyday or townships that we are in were slaveholders beyond “Abolition Day”, Mike Kilian, Executive Editor of the the D&C shares a historical report on areas slaveholding in the Rochester area.”
9. Todd shares this report that AI models “learn” from all the racist stuff online that they absorbs.
10. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 2 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “America is Very Much a Racist Country, Part Two: The Executive Branch“ by William Spivey on Medium: https://medium.com/the-polis/america-is-very-much-a-racist-country-part-two-the-executive-branch-9bdd05388e33
b. “Why Black Infant Mortality Gap Wider Now Than During Slavery“ by Dr. Allison Wiltz on Medium:
11. Here is an article from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
Rochester Police Accountability Board Launches Public Meetings Amid Push to Restore Authority
12. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – May 14, 2026
13. The ROC Community Table recently met with representatives from Senator Chuck Schumer’s Office, Chris Zeltmann (Regional Director) and Bernard Alexander (Deputy Regional Director), to discuss responses to federal policy changes.
It was shared that Senator Schumer’s Office has been actively addressing challenges like rising healthcare costs, housing affordability, and workforce shortages. Table members also inquired about a comprehensive immigration system, environmental justice and protections, and government accountability. The Table thanks Senator Schumer’s staff for participating in this important conversation. If you are interested in attending the next open Table meeting on May 22, please email mndoole@ulr.org.
14. Here is one article from this week’s Beacon:
When Jewish Baden-Ormond was still standing
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/05/13/when-jewish-baden-ormond-was-still-standing/
15. There are 3 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Listening to the land at Pine Ridge, South Dakota
b. Redistricting wars in uncharted waters (it harms the voting rights of minorities)
c. ACCESS TO ART (Memorial Art Gallery to make admission free)
OPPORTUNITIES:
16. 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”.
17. 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:
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. 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.