In spring 2020, Rochester, like the rest of our nation, was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine months later, the impact of COVID-19 on our city’s most vulnerable families, students and schools has presented us with extraordinary challenges and ...
Read More »A new opportunity for Rochester’s students
Once braced for the worst, the middle market now hopes for a rebound 
More than nine months since the pandemic arrived in the U.S., communities and businesses are still learning how to live and work safely, even as the threat of the virus still casts a shadow over the U.S. economy. At this ...
Read More »City’s new ‘ERA’ confronts historic racism, plots path to betterment 
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren says she intends to not just confront, but also reverse, the effects historic racism and institutional inequality have had on the city as she plots a course for post-pandemic economic recovery. Her Equity & Recovery Agenda ...
Read More »Virtual conference to focus on racism and COVID-19 
Action for a Better Community will partner with a number of local organizations next week on the first day of a series that will address Rochester’s two pandemics: COVID-19 and racism. “Racism is a Public Health Crisis — Attacking the ...
Read More »Urban League takes REJI under its wing 
The Urban League of Rochester has been named the new steward and agency administrator for the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI). The program will be combined with the Urban League’s antiracist educational initiatives under the Interrupt Racism name as ...
Tagged with: christine wagner diversity equity interrupting racism reji rochester equity and justice initiative seanella hawkins st. joseph's neighborhood structural racism Urban League of Rochester
Read More »Irondequoit racial equity commission appoints resident members 
The co-chairs of the Irondequoit Commission Advancing Racial Equity (ICARE) have selected a dozen Irondequoit residents to serve as voting members of the newly-formed initiation. More than 50 residents applied to serve on the commission. ICARE has selected Andrea Luke, ...
Tagged with: ICARE irondequoit racial equity
Read More »Golisano funding bolsters Rochester Accessible Adventures’ mission 
Rochester Accessible Adventures will use $51,000 in supportive funding from the Golisano Foundation to continue its mission of providing inclusive recreational opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Finger Lakes region. Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA) helps create ...
Read More »Local entrepreneur’s business rescued by VJF loan 
Rosa Marie Curtis spent two years looking for a location to open her after-hours childcare. In January, she signed a lease for the perfect spot at Village Gate. “We were getting ready for a grand opening. We thought, let’s take ...
Read More »Local companies create virtual Chill with Santa 
Santa Claus isn’t just coming to town, he’s coming to your living room, family room, kitchen or wherever your Zoom-enabled computer, smartphone or tablet is connected. Chill with Santa creates a safe way for kids to interact during the holiday ...
Read More »470 organizations, 110,000 people signed up for Racial Equity Challenge 
In 1963, the average wealth of white families was $121,000 higher than the average wealth of nonwhite families. By 2016, the average wealth of white families was more than $700,000 higher than that of Black families, whose average wealth was ...
Read More »Rochester women featured in new RMSC exhibition 
Rochester Museum & Science Center will feature more than 200 diverse Rochester and Haudenosaunee women in a new exhibition set to open on Nov. 20. “The Changemakers: Rochester Women Who Changed the World” is a community-curated exhibition that aims to ...
Read More »Women’s Hall of Fame to induct six women posthumously 
The National Women’s Hall of Fame in December will host a new program to showcase new inductees virtually. Beginning Dec. 10, NWHF will present the “Virtual Induction Series,” honoring women posthumously who were deceased prior to the establishment of the Hall ...
Tagged with: diversity national women's hall of fame women's hall of fame
Read More »SUNY to develop system-wide DEI plan 
The State University of New York plans to develop a system-wide action plan to increase diversity, equity and inclusion at its schools. SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras and the SUNY board of trustees have appointed Teresa Miller, SUNY’s senior vice chancellor ...
Tagged with: dei diversity equity inclusion jim malatras SUNY
Read More »Anti-racism coalition to host theater-based virtual allyship workshop 
Rochester Anti-Racism Action Coalition will team with Impact Interactive LLC to host a theater-based virtual workshop on allyship next month. “Uncomfortable Conversations: Confronting Privilege, Bias & Racism” is designed to help white people become better allies and accomplices, and develop ...
Tagged with: allyship impact interactive racism rarac rochester anti-racism action coalition theatre workshop
Read More »RASE seeks community input on mental health, substance abuse issues 
A Zoom Community Voices Session hosted by the Commission on Racial and Structural Equality will help its Mental Health and Addiction Workgroup better understand how structural racism and inequities have prevented individuals and families from receiving the best available care ...
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