We are hosting “Take 3” of Give and Take, the virtual rendition of RocGrowth Coffee, on Thurs., July 2, 8-9am. Our previous events attracted over 100 participants, generating an outpouring of support for our community partners helping those hardest hit by the pandemic.
Since then, we have entered an era of historic social turmoil driven by issues of racial inequity, compounding the public health and economic challenges of unprecedented proportion.
This is a historic opportunity to make permanent change and improvement to our region.
We are hosting a group discussion led by influential leaders representing the established business community, philanthropy, arts, government and entrepreneurial sector. The aim is to get REAL and FACTUAL about action we need to support or initiate. Please join us Thursday, July 2, 8-9am.
Featured Guests:
Simeon Banister, Rochester Area Community Foundation
Adrian Hale, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
Ana Liss, Monroe County
Reenah Oshun Golden, Avenue Blackbox Theatre
Marnie LaVigne, Launch NY
08:05:00 From Adriana Skura-Palmer : RocGrowthContact RocGrowth
08:15:06 From Chris Cooley : July 1964 Rochester Uprising
08:16:20 From Fred Dewey : Simeon I am wondering if a key initiative for improvement might be annexation and regionalization. I think that part of the problem is that we still have a city separate from the county. If they were one and the same and had a shared tax base, we would automatically have the large resources of the county to be deployed equitably, and the problem of hollowing out of the city’s tax base would be solved.
08:17:30 From Simeon Banister : Fred, that’s certainly a prospective solution. As an intermediary solution some cities have deployed reverse commuter taxes.
08:17:55 From Fred Dewey : That might be easier to get approved by all county citizens.
08:18:07 From Fred Dewey : or I mean a majority of county citizens
08:18:15 From Jill Stolt : Such a revealing and important background on the ROC, thanks for sharing Simeon.
08:18:42 From Simeon Banister : Well, it would actually only need to be approved by city residents.
08:19:46 From Simeon Banister : Jill, thanks! There’s SO much more to share.
08:20:20 From Fred Dewey : Well that should be relatively easy to do then.
08:20:37 From Fred Dewey : It would also motivate people who work in the city to live in the city, to avoid the tax.
08:20:45 From Simeon Banister : Just need the political leadership…
08:22:13 From Simeon Banister : As they say we can’t keep talking about it. We have to be about it!
08:22:55 From Courtney Klee : lets walk the walk now!
08:23:06 From Veronica Dasher : Yes Simeon! “we have to be about it”
08:25:08 From Simeon Banister : Love the work Reenah is doing with REAL PEOPLE!
08:26:45 From Andrew Brady : I’m with you Fred! The fate of the city and suburbs are inextricably linked in the long run, but it needs to be made more salient in the short run. Some type of regionalization is vital IMO.
08:27:09 From Richard Glaser : Avenue Blackbox relies on donations from people like US. It was a privilege for RocGrowth to contribute $1K during their latest campaign, celebrating their second anniversary. Plus, it’s a super cool venue. Love exudes.
08:27:36 From Andrew Brady : Interesting Simeon. Had not heard that proposal specifically. Definitely agree that we need the leadership. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. This is essential for the future of our community.
08:28:32 From Richard Glaser : Avenue Theatre
08:29:49 From Adrian Hale : Thank you Reenah for your work! 😀
08:30:30 From Reenah Golden : Peace Adrian! Likewise. We all have to hold it down in our sectors and spaces to make this thing go!
08:32:23 From Reenah Golden : Yes Richard! We are! All of that!
08:33:04 From Reenah Golden : Simeon you are appreciated! So much work to do but it’s a good think we love what we do!
08:33:33 From Chris Cooley : Reenah, what are some virtual events you are putting on and how can we can all participate/support?
08:34:34 From Jill Stolt : Super excited to hear about the good work you are doing Reenah, loved your comments. So important to connect our youth to their creative soul and build their love for learning.
08:35:12 From Simeon Banister : Encouraging to begin seeing the County taking a stand. More! More! Looking forward to even more with Ana’s leadership.
08:35:40 From Andrew Brady : All exciting stuff Ana. It’s been too long since we’ve caught up, but clearly you’ve been busy!
08:36:21 From Reenah Golden : We just came off or a weekly virtual program series called The Blocks on Lock to help engage minds, spirits and creativity during the pandemic and encourage sheltering in place. Sponsored by the City of Rochester. We are entering into Summer of Opportunity Fellowship and the youth will be coming up with the next season. Join the mailing list to get an invitation! Plus Black AF Fridays are coming back!
08:39:00 From Reenah Golden : Jill you hit it on the head. Creativity is really about lifelong learning and experimentation. It is a critical muscle. And a life line!
08:40:51 From Richard Glaser : Marnie’s accomplishment driving Launch NY and its multiple initiatives is remarkable. It is of national stature. She
08:41:06 From Richard Glaser : We are fortunate to have this emergning regional resource.
08:41:10 From Denise Batiste : Just a quick nudge to everyone to PLEASE check out Avenue Blackbox and donate to their cause. It’s a unique, intimate venue with a wide variety of dramatic offerings. I’ve seen several plays there and love the work Reenah & her team are doing to enrich youth and entertain audiences of all ages.
08:43:16 From Reenah Golden : This is so dope, Veronica!
08:44:09 From Reenah Golden : Thanks Denise! Taking our time getting back to live audiences but I do miss that. Y’all really show up!
08:44:23 From Chris Cooley : Black Owned Restaurants
08:44:34 From Richard Glaser : Ebony Miller is with the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship (RIT) at 40 Franklin St….near the Liberty Pole.
08:44:38 From Reenah Golden : Did Marnie drop website?
08:44:59 From Reenah Golden : Can you?
08:45:10 From Ed Bizari : Launch NY
08:45:30 From Reenah Golden : Got it thanks!
08:47:46 From Richard Glaser : It is a great program. Open to all. Black, white, brown, green, purple. It’s about teaching humanity.
08:48:36 From Veronica Dasher : Thanks, Reenah.
08:48:53 From Tom Mitchell : Contact Tom Mitchell or Call. The program is Exploring Racism. Thank you!
08:48:56 From Ana Liss : If you have ideas/suggestions about improving and innovating economic development and planning in Monroe County — here’s my contact information!
08:49:00 From Simeon Banister : Thanks Tom for the work you and the team are doing.
08:49:14 From Ana Liss : Ana J. LissDirector, Monroe County Department of Planning & DevelopmentExecutive Director, MCIDC & COMIDA OfficeMobile 1150 City Place50 W. Main St. Rochester, NY 14614
08:49:16 From Shelley Tween : What is the name of the organization for youth mentorship?
08:49:20 From Maria Lelie : This is great, thank you all for sharing what you do! You are inspiring.
08:05:00 From Adriana Skura-Palmer : RocGrowthContact RocGrowth
08:15:06 From Chris Cooley : July 1964 Rochester Uprising
08:16:20 From Fred Dewey : Simeon I am wondering if a key initiative for improvement might be annexation and regionalization. I think that part of the problem is that we still have a city separate from the county. If they were one and the same and had a shared tax base, we would automatically have the large resources of the county to be deployed equitably, and the problem of hollowing out of the city’s tax base would be solved.
08:17:30 From Simeon Banister : Fred, that’s certainly a prospective solution. As an intermediary solution some cities have deployed reverse commuter taxes.
08:17:55 From Fred Dewey : That might be easier to get approved by all county citizens.
08:18:07 From Fred Dewey : or I mean a majority of county citizens
08:18:15 From Jill Stolt : Such a revealing and important background on the ROC, thanks for sharing Simeon.
08:18:42 From Simeon Banister : Well, it would actually only need to be approved by city residents.
08:19:46 From Simeon Banister : Jill, thanks! There’s SO much more to share.
08:20:20 From Fred Dewey : Well that should be relatively easy to do then.
08:20:37 From Fred Dewey : It would also motivate people who work in the city to live in the city, to avoid the tax.08:20:45 From Simeon Banister : Just need the political leadership…
08:22:13 From Simeon Banister : As they say we can’t keep talking about it. We have to be about it!
08:22:55 From Courtney Klee : lets walk the walk now!
08:23:06 From Veronica Dasher : Yes Simeon! “we have to be about it”
08:25:08 From Simeon Banister : Love the work Reenah is doing with REAL PEOPLE!
08:26:45 From Andrew Brady : I’m with you Fred! The fate of the city and suburbs are inextricably linked in the long run, but it needs to be made more salient in the short run. Some type of regionalization is vital IMO.
08:27:09 From Richard Glaser : Avenue Blackbox relies on donations from people like US. It was a privilege for RocGrowth to contribute $1K during their latest campaign, celebrating their second anniversary. Plus, it’s a super cool venue. Love exudes.
08:27:36 From Andrew Brady : Interesting Simeon. Had not heard that proposal specifically. Definitely agree that we need the leadership. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. This is essential for the future of our community.
08:28:32 From Richard Glaser : Avenue Theatre
08:29:49 From Adrian Hale : Thank you Reenah for your work! 😀
08:30:30 From Reenah Golden : Peace Adrian! Likewise. We all have to hold it down in our sectors and spaces to make this thing go!
08:32:23 From Reenah Golden : Yes Richard! We are! All of that!
08:33:04 From Reenah Golden : Simeon you are appreciated! So much work to do but it’s a good think we love what we do!
08:33:33 From Chris Cooley : Reenah, what are some virtual events you are putting on and how can we can all participate/support?
08:34:34 From Jill Stolt : Super excited to hear about the good work you are doing Reenah, loved your comments. So important to connect our youth to their creative soul and build their love for learning.
08:35:12 From Simeon Banister : Encouraging to begin seeing the County taking a stand. More! More! Looking forward to even more with Ana’s leadership.
08:35:40 From Andrew Brady : All exciting stuff Ana. It’s been too long since we’ve caught up, but clearly you’ve been busy!
08:36:21 From Reenah Golden : We just came off or a weekly virtual program series called The Blocks on Lock to help engage minds, spirits and creativity during the pandemic and encourage sheltering in place. Sponsored by the City of Rochester. We are entering into Summer of Opportunity Fellowship and the youth will be coming up with the next season. Join the mailing list to get an invitation! Plus Black AF Fridays are coming back!
08:39:00 From Reenah Golden : Jill you hit it on the head. Creativity is really about lifelong learning and experimentation. It is a critical muscle. And a life line!
08:40:51 From Richard Glaser : Marnie’s accomplishment driving Launch NY and its multiple initiatives is remarkable. It is of national stature. She
08:41:06 From Richard Glaser : We are fortunate to have this emergning regional resource.
08:41:10 From Denise Batiste : Just a quick nudge to everyone to PLEASE check out Avenue Blackbox and donate to their cause. It’s a unique, intimate venue with a wide variety of dramatic offerings. I’ve seen several plays there and love the work Reenah & her team are doing to enrich youth and entertain audiences of all ages.
08:43:16 From Reenah Golden : This is so dope, Veronica!
08:44:09 From Reenah Golden : Thanks Denise! Taking our time getting back to live audiences but I do miss that. Y’all really show up!
08:44:23 From Chris Cooley : Black Owned Restaurants
08:44:34 From Richard Glaser : Ebony Miller is with the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship (RIT) at 40 Franklin St….near the Liberty Pole.
08:44:38 From Reenah Golden : Did Marnie drop website?
08:44:59 From Reenah Golden : Can you?
08:45:10 From Ed Bizari : Launch NY
08:45:30 From Reenah Golden : Got it thanks!
08:47:46 From Richard Glaser : It is a great program. Open to all. Black, white, brown, green, purple. It’s about teaching humanity.
08:48:36 From Veronica Dasher : Thanks, Reenah.
08:48:53 From Tom Mitchell : Contact Tom Mitchell or Call. The program is Exploring Racism. Thank you!
08:48:56 From Ana Liss : If you have ideas/suggestions about improving and innovating economic development and planning in Monroe County — here’s my contact information!
08:49:00 From Simeon Banister : Thanks Tom for the work you and the team are doing.
08:49:14 From Ana Liss : Ana J. LissDirector, Monroe County Department of Planning & DevelopmentExecutive Director, MCIDC & COMIDA OfficeMobile 1150 City Place50 W. Main St.Rochester, NY 14614
08:49:16 From Shelley Tween : What is the name of the organization for youth mentorship?
08:49:20 From Maria Lelie : This is great, thank you all for sharing what you do! You are inspiring.
08:49:28 From Glenn Allen : The session is almost over, so how about some virtual networking? I’m a freelance SAP developer based in Central NY. I’m also a member of the LaunchNY network. Feel free to ConnectEmail. Cheers.
08:51:08 From Reenah Golden : I should also mention in case nobody asks: We are currently raising funds for two priority focus areas: The Building Fund (black church reference some will understand lol) and creating one full-time and one part-time position at The Avenue.
08:51:20 From Chris Cooley : Shelly, the name of the mentor program is Compeer
08:51:24 From Diane Trentini : Please see local effort Venture Jobs – committed to revitalizing underserved neighborhoods and improving quality of life by supporting and investing in entrepreneurs and growing businesses to foster job creation.
08:51:24 From Jill Stolt : I’d like to invite folks to contact us if they know of high school youth who would benefit from participating in job training. WellVentions youth are helping to grow ProsperRochester’s social enterprise developing and testing retail products containing healthy messaging created by youth, with proceeds supporting the mission. WellventionsEmailPhone
08:51:57 From Ben Patrzalek : Well done, thanks Reenhah!
08:52:00 From Andrew Brady : Conscious Capitalism ROC has a free virtual conference “The Healing Force of Business” going on every Wednesday at 3pm to continue many of these discussions and how the business community needs to be involved. Our keynote is next week 7/8 with Raj Sisodia, author of “The Healing Organization” and then the following weeks we have panels on making your organizational culture more inclusive and making a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Register for free here:
08:52:39 From Richard Glaser : Knowing our history is knowing the present. Knowing the present is knowing oneself. (paraphrasing Ibram Kendi)
08:52:42 From jeanne strazzabosco : Have any suburban districts added your curriculum?
08:53:09 From Simeon Banister : This is one of the efforts we’re funding at race.org
08:53:12 From Alicia Sheppard : Compeer Rochester Phone and Email for more info, Please contact me
08:53:21 From Simeon Banister : The Community Foundation
08:53:29 From Brennon Thompson : Pathstone
08:53:53 From Brennon Thompson : Yes we have 4 suburban districts who will adopt in the fall
08:55:14 From Tom Myers : ROC Archive “Safeguarding Our Memories”
08:55:16 From Marnie LaVigne_Launch NY : Thanks for the opportunity to share LaunchNY.org DI initiatives to support High-Growth Potential startups ($10million in revenue forecasts in 5-7 years) who can transform the community for inclusive entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs can apply for our mentorship and funding resources. All can sign up for our newsletter. I welcome partner organizations who want to help in program design and distribution of our content to your constituents to contact me directly
08:55:31 From Brennon Thompson : We also are working together with all superintendents in the county who’ve separately pledged to implement a corrective curriculum
08:55:46 From Ben Patrzalek : Thanks again Brennon!
08:56:20 From Brennon Thompson : Questions on the curriculum can be directed to bthompson@pathstone.foundation
08:56:46 From David Powe : I facilitate a peer learning community of MWBE businesses with a mission of business growth. Contact me through our website
08:56:50 From Adrian Hale : Thats right Richard!!!
08:57:08 From Adriana Skura-Palmer : RocGrowth
08:57:27 From Reenah Golden : I think Simeon meant to type RACF.ORG and yes you are. We are grateful to have received several foundational grants and have an angel who’s family foundation has created a generous endowment we directed to RACF for the salary support. They have been very helpful! Thank you Simeon for your advocacy!
08:58:16 From Reenah Golden : Oops I see you corrected it while I was being long-winded.
08:58:39 From Chris Cooley : Email for recommendations for becoming a volunteer / participant
08:58:45 From Veronica Dasher : Rochester Black Young Professionals
08:59:01 From Suzanne Piotrowski : Thank you— great information to connect and innovate out future!
08:59:16 From Ben Patrzalek : For today’s speakers, thank you immensely for carving out the time to share!