Today is Saturday, August 1. August is National Civility month, an observance encouraging communities to practice respect, empathy, and constructive dialogue across cultural and political divides. Sunday, August 9 is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This day is established by the United Nations to raise awareness and protects the rights, cultures, and traditions of indigenous populations.
Quote of the week for July 25, 2026: “I’m so committed to doing whatever I can for the people of Georgia that I’ll work with anybody on both sides of the aisle to get it done.” Raphael Warnock born July 23, 1969 – present: United States Senator.
Quote of the week for August 1, 2026: “Everyday Americans are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck, unable to thrive and barely surviving in a wealthy nation. This situation is unacceptable.” Hakeem Jeffries born August 4, 1970 – present; American politician.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer, July 25, 2026: Raphael Warnock born July 23, 1969 – present: United States Senator.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Raphael-Warnock
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer, August 1, 2026: Hakeem Jeffries born August 4, 1970 – present; American politician.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hakeem-Jeffries
EVENTS
We are always looking for events related to race and culture, please share with us @tcmitch1951.com
1. Rochester’s 2026 Puerto Rican Festival continues today at Parcel #5 in Rochester, August 1 from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM. See below for details.
2026 Puerto Rican Festival | City of Rochester, New York https://www.cityofrochester.gov/events/2026-puerto-rican-festival
2. The Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupt Racism Speaker series next event is Friday, August 7, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. During this session, Elaine Cozart, Senior Manager of Consumer Empowerment Programs & Partnerships at FICO, will break down the key ingredients in FICO® Scores and how they impact your finances.
INTERRUPT RACISM™ Speaker Series
3. Juanita Washington shares that the Front Porch Festival will take place on August 8, 4:00 PM at Baden Park, this is a great opportunity to meet and engage with people from different neighborhoods, cultures and backgrounds. The flyer can be found below.
4. Action for a Better Community (ABC) is holding the Community Action Day Resource Event on Friday, August 14 from 3:00 PM – 8 PM on Parcel 5, Downtown Rochester. See below for details.
5. The Little Theatre’s Black Cinema Series is presenting the screening and discussion of the film “Seeds”, Monday, August 17, 7:00 PM at the Little Theatre 1, 240 East Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
https://thelittle.org/seeds-bcs/
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
6. Here is Bill Wynne’s Declaration of Independence … Essay #13: ‘To Renew a Broken Republic’. Subtitle: ‘Restoring the Declaration’s Promise After Trumpism’
7. Heather Cox Richardson ‘Letters from an American’ – July 18, 1863, The Black soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry.
8. Drew Saur shares ‘True Patriots’: a traveling play honors enslaved Africans’ role in the American revolution
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jul/14/da-gullah-american-revolution-show?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
9. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 5 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “The Rules My Parents Taught Me About Being the Only Black Kid in a White Friend Group“ by Toni Crowe on Medium:
b. “The Highlander Folk School: Its Students, Its Destruction, and the Long Shadow of Racial…“ by William Spivey
c. “Racism Rebranded: The Rebirth of Jim Crow“ by The Color of My Politics:
d. “Great, White American Nightmare Is a Black Person Who Needs Nothing From Them“ by The Color of My Politics
e. “How Racial Profiling Robs Black People of Freedom“ by Dr. Allison Wiltz
10. Sandra Katz shares this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer ‘Citizens says it has ended lending to private prison companies used by ICE’
https://share.google/Pze3Q3Zlh5KVZilJu
11. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/ulr/the-interrupter-newsletter-july-10-2026?e=25818c1f26
12. We continue to repeat the ROC Community Table release of its thought paper on June 30, “Claiming a Seat at the Table”. The ROC Community Table consists of a group of citizens that came together after the 2024 Presidential election to plan for the repair, resist, repair and rebuild of the elimination of many civil rights, programs and funding threatened by then, the President-Elect of the Project 2025 policy platform. The paper addresses many fundamental aspects of our democracy and rights including the 2nd section “A Community Vision for Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”. The full paper is found at the link below.
13. Pat Mitchell shares 2 video stories that should be of interest:
a. Learn about super spy Mary Bowser:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2207166940106116/?referral_source=external_deeplink&original_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F14jJyr4UaaL%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&hpir=1&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc4NTQyMDc1ODAwMCwiciI6IiJ9&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc4NTQyMDc1ODAwMCwiciI6IiJ9
b, The story of the Rosewood Massacre of 1923:
14. Here are two articles from the past 2 week’s Beacon:
a. Voices of the 19th Ward
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/07/23/voices-of-the-19th-ward/
b. Charter schools receive music education grants
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/07/28/charter-schools-receive-music-education-grants/
15. Here are two articles from the past 2 week’s Minority Reporter:
a. Pioneering Black Artist Betye Saar Dies at 99, Leaving an Enduring Legacy of Art and Activism
b. Foodlink ‘Meal Mobiles’ Cruising Neighborhoods this Summer!
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/foodlink-meal-mobiles-cruising-neighborhoods-this-summer
16. There are 7 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C this past week.
a. Family demands answers in death of young Black man visiting Mississippi
b. AI boom pushes with little oversight (Black communities concerned about pollution)
c. Administration changes slavery panels at Washington’s Philadelphia home
d. Trump admin lauds altered history display
e. Teen’s death more than just a mystery (Wells’ case in Mississippi raises ‘unhealed history’)
f. Groups challenge council’s slur ban (LA meeting rules aim at curbing ‘fighting words’)
g. Nun detained by ICE speaks out for 1st time (She was first detained due to the color of her skin)
OPPORTUNITIES:
17. 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. Connected Communities Parcel x Parcel Volunteer Event. See below and the additional dates below that for an opportunity to assist in an inventory:
If you’re able, please consider signing up for another shift. We’ve added dates:
- Thu. 8/6, 3-7 PM
- Sat. 8/8, 10 AM – 1 PM
- Thu. 8/20, 3-7 PM
- Sat. 8/22, 10 AM – 1 PM
- Thu. 9/17, 3-7 PM
- Sat. 9/19, 10 AM – 1 PM
We’re asking residents and partner organizations to commit at least 2 hours (preferably a full 4‑hour shift). Meetups include a quick training, team assignments, and all materials — no experience needed.
19. 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/
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. Check out one of Rochester’s newest restaurants, Table 19 at 366 Arnett Blvd, Rochester, NY 14619. See link to website below.
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday. Please send to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.