Today is Saturday, 2/07/2026. Black History Month continues, celebrated in the United States every February to honor the achievements, culture, and history, of Black Americans, recognizing their contributions to society.
Quote of the week: “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” Jackie Robinson born January 31, 1919 – died October 24, 1972, American baseball player.
Featured civil rights activist/abolitionist/pioneer: Jackie Robinson born January 31, 1919 – died October 24, 1972, American baseball player.
https://www.britannica.com/search?query=jackie+robinson
EVENTS:
1. The Rochester Downtown Development Corp (RDDC) provides a list of Black History Month Celebration including today at the Strong National Museum of Play. See below:
2. The Rochester Museum & Science Center Black History Month Celebration marks a century of Black History celebrations! Join them in commemorating local black leaders and innovators. Saturday and Sunday, February 7-8, 11am-3pm. Black History Month Celebration | Rochester Museum & Science Center
3. Memorial Art Gallery Hosts Black History Month Celebration Day: A Salute to Black Excellence, Sunday, February 8 from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. See information below:
4. George Yeadon shares that The Little Theatre Black Cinema Series is featuring:
a. ‘Floyd Norman: An Animated Life’, Screening and Q&A, Monday, February 9, 2026 @ 7:00pm, Little Theatre 1 (240 :East Ave.), Doors open at 6:30pm.
b. ‘Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round’, Wednesday, February 11, 2026 @ 7:00pm, Little Theatre 1 (240 East Ave.), Doors open at 6:30pm
5. George Yeadon also shares information on the Black History Month virtual birthday celebration for Toni Morrison, February 18 @ 8:00 PM. See below for details.
6. Registration is now open 5th Annual Antiracist Education Conference: Action for Equality to be held, Saturday, February 28, 8:45 AM – 12:20 PM. This event is virtual and free. See below for more information and to register.
2026 Conference 8.5×11 Flyers – Google Slides
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCE
7. Lindsay Phillips suggests sharing this article, Letters from an American byrom Heather Cox Richardson
8.Providing Bill Wynne’s February’s essay series, #7 ‘Declaration of Independence – Consent of the Governed’
https://www.wewynneauthor.com/2026/01/30/declaration-of-independence-essay-7-consent-of-the-governed
9. We continue to repeat this information. Are you aware of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies? Check out the webiste and the legislation that commissioned it at the links below.
New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies | The State of New York
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies is tasked with examining the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the impact these forces continue to have in the present day. Governor Hochul signed bill S.1163-A/A.7691 establishing the Commission on December 19, 2023.
10. We continue to repeat RMAPI’s, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative request for your help in spreading awareness about their ‘Our Voices, Our Power’ initiative through your network. Critical safety net programs are at risk, please see the link below and sign up to receive the “stories” of impact and other information.
11. From the Medium Daily Digest, we share 3 pieces (some are Opinion pieces);
a. “Doing Right by Black People Is Not Reverse Racism“ by Eze Ihenetu:
b. “The Anti-ICE “Activists” Just Created One of the Most Racist Images You Have Ever Seen“ by My Lovely Suque:
c. “Dr. Frances Cress Welsing: The Psychiatrist Who Read America Like a Patient File — And Why She…“ by The Color of My Politics:
12. Pat Mitchell shares two videos:
a. From Global Mind with some little known facts about Jackie Robinson, ‘Jackie Robinson was the first Black VP?’
a. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1991343878404814/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
b. Alternatives to Amazon that are supportive of DEI 14.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1380922133633682/?referral_source=external_deeplink&surface_type=reels
13. Find the latest Urban League of Rochester’s Interrupter Newsletter.
http://eepurl.com/jyxijY
14. Here are two articles from this week’s Beacon:
a. ‘A path beyond polarization in a small town’
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/02/04/a-path-beyond-polarization-in-a-small-town/
b. ‘In the grip of ICE’
https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/02/05/in-the-grip-of-ice/
15. Here are two articles from this week’s The Minority Reporter:
a. ‘Art, Jazz and Food Tasting Kicks Off 2026 City of Rochester Black Heritage Committee Event Series’
b. ‘Second Prepare to Prosper Cohort Builds on Success of City’s Entrepreneur Program’
16. Drew Saur shares this article from the BBC; ‘Trump removes video with racist clip depicting Obamas as apes’ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8r8y78g10o
17. There are 2 articles that deal with Race, Poverty, Hate or Intolerance found in 9 D&C this past week.
a. Analysis: Fire insurance maps highlighted discrimination.
b. Judge blocks end of protections for Haitians.
OPPORTUNITIES: 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. The Urban League of Rochester’s Scholarship Program is open. It is not too early to consider and apply. See below for information and application.
https://www.urbanleagueroc.org/scholarships
19. The Rochester Area Community Foundations Scholarship Program is now open. Check out the link below for Rochester Area Scholarships and Award Resources – Rochester Area Community Foundation
https://www.racf.org/scholarships/search-for-scholarships/
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. Support a Black newspaper, The Minority Reporter, it is inexpensive and supports the Black community.
Rochester News | Minority Reporter https://www.minorityreporter.net/
Subscribe: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/74TM2U3THP2BN
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon on Friday.