Today is Saturday, September 5. Monday, September 7, the first Monday in September is Labor Day, the annual celebration of the social and economic and achievements of American workers. Tuesday, September 8 – Tuesday, September 15 are the holiest day for Jains. Paryushan, an eight day festival signifying human emergence into a world of spiritual and moral refinement. Sundown Friday, September 11 through sundown Sunday September 13 is the Jewish high holy day of Rosh Hashanah, beginning 10 days of pentience and concluding on Yom Kippur.
Quote of the week: “Imagination is one of the spoils of colonization, which in many ways is claiming who gets to imagine the future for a given geography. Losing our imagination is a symptom of trauma. Reclaiming the right to dream the future, strengthening the muscle to imagine together as Black people, is a revolutionary decolonizing activity.” adrienne maree brown born September 6, 1978 – present; American author and activist.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: adrienne maree brown born September 6, 1978 – present; American author and activist.
https://adriennemareebrown.net/
EVENTS
We are always looking for events related to race and culture, please share with us @ tcmitch1951@gmail.com
1. The Seneca Heritage Day will be celebrated today, September 5. The free event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Overackers Corners Schoolhouse, at the corner of Route 364 and Vine Valley Road, Middlesex with a talk about the Seneca during the American Revolution and Native American dances. See below for details.
2. George Yeadon shares information on WXXI’s programming September 7 – 15 for HBCU (Historically Black College and University )Week see offerings below:
a. “Unity and Hope: The Pride of the HBCU”
Unity and Hope: The Pride of the HBCU • On-Demand – WXXI
b.”The Dream Whisperer”
The Dream Whisperer • WXXI-TV – WXXI
c. “Alpha Kappa Alpha: A Legacy of Service”
Alpha Kappa Alpha: A Legacy of Service • WXXI-TV – WXXI
d. “John Lewis: Get in the Way”
John Lewis: Get in the Way • The Little Theatre – WXXI
3. The next Urban League of Rochester Interrupt Racism Speaker series will take place Friday, September 11, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM featuring Brian Lewis, ROC the Future Alliance, “Our Children Need You: Answering the Call for 11,000 Futures“. See link below to register.
Urban League of Rochester – September 2026 INTERRUPT RACISM™ Speaker Series
4. ‘A Call to Women of Color’ will mark its 20th Anniversary with three days of events September 11 – 13 celebrating sisterhood, health and community. See item #15a below for details.
5. The University of Rochester will convene its Annual Conderence: Boundless Together 2026 will be held Friday, October 23 2026 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Cennter. The public is welcome but must register. See details at the link below.
Annual Conference: Boundless Together 2026 – Office of University Engagement and Enrichment
6. The Urban League of Rochester’s 7th Annual Interrupt Racism Summit is scheduled for November 2, 8:30AM to 4:30PM at the Hyatt Regency 125 E Main St, find the flyer below.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/interrupt-racism-summit
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
7. We share 3 pieces from the Medium Daily Digest, (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “Twenty-Five Black Churches in America That Were Bombed or Burned“ by William Spivey
b. “The Nation of Broken Promises: America Entered into over 370 Treaties with Native Americans and…“ by William Spivey
c. “Is Hiring From “Central Casting,” DEI for White People?“ by William Spivey
8. Steve shares this piece that is head scratching , “DEI Bike Paths”
9. Drew Saur shares this Opinion piece from the NY Times written by John McWhorter, “In the ‘Amalgamated City,’ Black English Was Mostly White — and Weird”. It is not controversial; just Black history as it relates to NYC and language.
10. Many may be opposed to Israel’s wars and treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank but antisemitism and acts of hatred towards Jews cannot be tolerated. See link below to learn more and to help support the Jewish community.
Antisemitic Attacks Are Happening. Many Americans Aren’t Seeing Them.
11. We repeat the information Bill Wynne shared on a new film “The Work In Progress” and Robert Reich’s endorsement of it “What do we owe each other?”. See below.
What do we owe each other? – Robert Reich
12. We also repeat Bill Wynne’s message on the importance of voting:
13. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
The Interrupter Newsletter – September 3, 2026
14. Here are two articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. Telesca Center receives $90,000 in state funding
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/09/02/telesca-center-receives-90000-in-state-funding/
b. In Brighton, a Nativity scene becomes a constitutional fight
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/09/01/in-brighton-a-nativity-scene-becomes-a-constitutional-fight/
15. Here are two articles from this week’s Minority Reporter:
a. A Call to Women of Color Celebrates 20 Years of Sisterhood https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/a-call-to-women-of-color-celebrates-20-years-of-sisterhood
b. Hunger Action Month
https://www.minorityreporter.net/post/hunger-action-month
16. Pat Mitchell shares a video story of a little known legend, Bass Reeves:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/reel/1399380568247199/ https://www.facebook.com/reel/1399380568247199/?hpir=1
17. There are 5 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in the D&C and U.S. Today this past week.
a. Thousands rally in capital (Leaders warn of voting and civil rights rollbacks)
b. FEATURED OBITUARY: DAVID ANDERSON (Storyteller, 96, changed how city sees itself)
c. HE SHAPED AMERICAN CHILDHOODS, BUT NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY: Dr.Seuss: A COMPLICATED LEGACY
d. PA officer charged in fatal shooting of student
e. Rochester beats Trump suit over sanctuary
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”.
19. Connected Communities Parcel x Parcel Volunteer Event. See below and the additional dates below that for an opportunity to assist in an inventory. Meet at Connected Communities HQ, 1337 E. Main St. :
If you’re able, please consider signing up for another shift. We have these dates:
- 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.
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. Need a wonderful restaurant for breakfast or lunch on the eastside? Check out the Five Mile Line Cafe at 2084 Five Mile Line Road. See link to website below.
https://share.google/OfVFvmKlbKxOXadwt
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon.