Today is Saturday, June 13. Juneteenth is celebrated this coming Friday, June 19. Thursday, June 18 is the Martyrdom of Guru Arian Dev Sahib, a Sikh observance of the killing of the 5th Guru and the first martyr of the Sikhs. He compiled the religous text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib. June is African American culture and emancipation (Juneteenth), National Indigenous History month and LGBTQ+ Pride month.
Quote of the week: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” Nikki Giovanni born June 7, 1943 – died December 9, 2024, American poet.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Nikki Giovanni born June 7, 1943 – died December 9, 2024, American poet.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nikki-Giovanni
EVENTS
1. Bill Wynne shares information on this online program “250 Years Towards Racial Justice” on Monday, June 15 at noon. See details below:
250 Years Towards Racial Justice
2. Finger Lakes Opera has a Juneteenth performance on Thursday, June 18, 7:00 PM at the New Bethel CME Church, 270 Scio St., Rochester. This program that illuminates the joy, resilience, and journey toward freedom, justice, and equality for all, is free but registration. See below for more information and to register.
3. Juneteenth is next Friday. 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/
4. Are you aware of NYS Abolition Commemoration Day? Saturday, July 11, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM at Rochester’s Maplewood Park. See background information below.
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
5. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “Massacres on American Soil: What History Books Never Fully Describe“ by William Spivey:
b. “The Word Nigger Turns Some White Grown Adults Into Philosophers“ by The Color of My Politics: https://medium.com/@malikshakur/the-word-nigger-turns-some-white-grown-adults-into-philosophers-9f35e48b1005
c. “For Black People, Boycotting is the Language of the Unheard“ by Dr. Allison Wiltz: https://allyfromnola.medium.com/for-black-people-boycotting-is-the-language-of-the-unheard-fbd9aa108704
6. Drew Saur shares article from Ars Technica ‘Racist comments targeting politicians tripled since Meta relaxed its rules’
7. We repeat sharing Bill Wynne’s Essay #11 regarding the Declaration’s principle of ‘Safety and Happiness’. It reminds us that the government exists to secure the rights, dignity, and well-being of all the people. Until our institutions truly do that, our work is not done.
8. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – June 11, 2026
9. The ROC Community Table hosted Sen. Jeremy Cooney for a conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion, housing, and immigration. Table members raised questions about state policy, funding, and advocacy efforts connected to these issue areas and shared concerns affecting
Rochester communities. Notes from the meeting can be found below.
10. Here are two articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. City’s R-Future Fund initiative underway
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/06/10/citys-r-future-fund-initiative-underway/
b. As trial of Buffalo mass killer nears, a life-or-death issue
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/06/10/as-trial-of-buffalo-mass-killer-nears-a-life-or-death-issue/
11. Pat Mitchell shares this positive story from ‘Global Mind’ with us. “They opened their doors to this kid then this happens”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/749378771571657/ https://www.facebook.com/reel/749378771571657/?referral_source=external_deeplink&original_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F1P8tRNZczV%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&hpir=1&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc4MTE4MjY1MzAwMCwiciI6IiJ9&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc4MTE4MjY1MzAwMCwiciI6IiJ9
12. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. New York expands access to universal pre-K
b. Rochester delegation touts $300M in state investments
c. Prude’s family opposes NY bill on police transparency
d. Dress sale helps Rochester students afford prom attire
e. Magicians call death row evidence ‘Flim-Flam’
OPPORTUNITIES:
13. 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”.
14. The Center for Governmental Research has undertaken an important survey ‘Understanding Black & African American Participation in Health Survey’ Please share with your network: https://www.cgr.org/understanding-black-and-african-american-participation-in-health-survey/
15. See link below for active grant opportunities administered by the Rochester Area Community Foundation in the area of arts, culture, aging, youth, labor/management relations.
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
16. 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)
17. Check out this new Southern, Soul and Island inspired restaurant located in the 19th Ward, ‘Table 19’. See below:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Table-19-Restaurant-Wine-Bar-61570259849785
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday