June 2024 Newsletter

Mapping the Road Ahead:

Introducing our

Strategic Plan for 2024-2027

As our agency looks ahead to our next 50 years, we know that we must adapt to meet the needs of our communities as we face the challenges of our changing world.

To do this, we will need to:

• Expand our capacity to provide cost-effective, high-quality, flexible services, tailored to the needs of our communities.
• Work to dismantle all forms of oppression, and increase accessibility of services for historically marginalized communities.
• Create a culture of relationships to ensure that we are known as a gold standard provider of services across our region.

It will take all of us - staff, board, volunteers, and community members - to reach our vision of creating peaceful, conflict-resilient communities in the next 50 years.

I look forward to making it happen, together.

In peace,

Shira May, Ph.D.

President/CEO

A hearty THANK YOU to our Strategic Plan committee members:

Board: Joe Brown, Parris Bryant II, Jonathan Ferris, Milo Obourn, Mary Williamson

Staff: Julie Burke, Subrata Paul, Stace Pierce, Cheryl Prewitt

Volunteer: Jeff Shepardson

A Fond Farewell to

Jim Waight on his Retirement

Jim Waight, who served as the Director of Steuben County, retired from CDS on May 31st. Jim served at CDS for 22 years, providing services in the full range of mediation programs, including a specialization in agricultural cases that made him recognized throughout the state. Jim also managed the Steuben County Department of Social Services Youth Program, as well as the Surrogate Decision Making Committee program which serves the Finger Lakes and Western regions.

Jim has made an enormous impact on our agency, our communities, and countless individuals who have been helped by his services. Jim, we can't thank you enough for your service, and we wish you blessings and joy in your next chapter!

Pictured: Jim Waight (right) with Assistant Statewide ADR Coordinator, Dan Kos

Task Force on Increasing Access to Mediation for Rochester's

Communities of Color

The Center for Dispute Settlement will be convening a Task Force to increase access to mediation services for Communities of Color in the City of Rochester. Our first meeting will be held on Monday, June 10th from 5:30-7:00pm.

Founded in 1973, CDS was created in direct response to community conflict arising from school integration in Rochester. This Task Force continues our longstanding focus on empowering community members with the skills they need to effectively respond to conflicts in their own communities.

To join the Task Force, please contact Dr. Shira May, President/CEO at smay@cdsadr.org.

$50,000 Awarded to CDS from the

Rochester Area Community Foundation

We are thrilled to share the news that the Rochester Area Community Foundation has awarded CDS $50,000 for Operational Support. This unrestricted grant will support our agency's general operating costs, covering administrative and staff expenses, and supporting our continuing programming in the areas of conflict resolution and training services across our eight county region.

Thank you to the Rochester Area Community Foundation for helping us to create more peaceful communities!

2nd Annual Unity Summit Held in Rochester

The NYS Division of Human Rights, Hate and Bias Prevention Unit, Finger Lakes Regional Council hosted the 2nd annual Unity Summit on Tuesday, March 19th at the Memorial Art Gallery. The summit was designed to bring together state, community, and faith leaders to share strategies for building stronger communities where "hate has no place."

Ronalyn Pollack, Director of Training and Community Engagement at CDS, (pictured, 3rd from right) was one of the presenters at the event.

New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado was also a guest speaker.

For more information about the work of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit, visit: https://dhr.ny.gov/nohate

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day) occurs annually on June 19th and is the most popular celebration of emancipation from slavery in the United States. It commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 (two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation) when Union General Gordon Granger informed enslaved Texans that they had been freed. You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth in this article by historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Juneteenth’s position in the middle of Pride Month should serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our struggle for liberation. We would not have Pride as we know it today if it were not for the histories of Black and Brown revolutionary activism, and we must commit to anti-racism in all of our celebrations.

This guide includes a list of ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in your community, as well as a list of resources where you can learn more about Juneteenth and the continued legacy of white supremacy.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH

Attend local Juneteenth events.

Many cities and community organizations host Juneteenth events like festivals, parades, protests, concerts, and more! You can do a quick Google search for [your city] + Juneteenth to see if there are any events near you. These celebrations often rely on the support of volunteers, so they can also be a great opportunity for non-Black allies to contribute their time and resources.

Visit a Black museum or cultural site

Museums are a great, interactive way to learn about history and culture, and many also offer lectures, performances, and other live programming. The Association of African American Museums has a national directory of African American Museums and affiliate institutions, but it is not exhaustive, so you may also want to do a Google search to find a museum near you. Even if you’re not able to visit in person, the National Museum of African-American History in Washington, DC has lots of amazing online resources, including videos and artifacts about Juneteenth.

Share a commitment to dismantling white supremacy

It’s important for allies to reflect on the ways they uphold white supremacy and how they plan to dismantle it. Spend some time thinking about concrete ways you can use your power and privilege to uplift Black and Brown people and combat white supremacy each and every day. You can also share your list of commitments on social media as a way to encourage others to commit to anti-racism as well.

Support Black organizations and individuals in your community

For non-Black allies, Juneteenth is a great opportunity to show solidarity by volunteering your time and/or resources to support Black community members. Consider volunteering at a Juneteenth event, giving money directly to Black community members, or working with local Black-led organizations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JUNETEENTH AND THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY



Books

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon- Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond.

Juneteenth: A Children’s Story by Opal Lee

An engaging way to introduce the history of slavery and freedom to children in words they can understand. Ms. Opal highlights the celebration of Juneteenth and the importance of commemorating this milestone all across America.

Juneteenth for Maizie by Floyd Cooper

Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.

Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison

In Juneteenth, Ralph Ellison evokes the rhythms of jazz and gospel and ordinary speech to tell a powerful tale of a prodigal son in the twentieth century. With the aid of Ellison’s widow, Fanny, his literary executor, John Callahan, has edited this magnificent novel at the center of Ralph Ellison’s forty-year work in progress — its author’s abiding testament to the country he so loved and to its many unfinished tasks.

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

Me and White Supremacy leads readers through a journey of understanding their white privilege and participation in white supremacy, so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on Black, Indigenous and People of Color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The New Jim Crow is a stunning account of the rebirth of a caste-like system in the United States, one that has resulted in millions of African Americans locked behind bars and then relegated to a permanent second-class status — denied the very rights supposedly won in the Civil Rights Movement.

Stony the Road by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

In this new book, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., one of our leading chroniclers of the African-American experience, seeks to answer that question in a history that moves from the Reconstruction Era to the “nadir” of the African-American experience under Jim Crow, through to World War I and the Harlem Renaissance.

For more book recommendations, check out the Juneteenth Reading List from Penguin Random House.

Shows and Movies

Juneteenth Jamboree

Juneteenth Jamboree illuminates the significance of the Juneteenth holiday and shares stories about black culture and history. You can view this year’s episodes and an archive of past years for free through the PBS website.

Miss Juneteenth

Miss Juneteenth is a soulful journey of a determined woman who takes on the burden of representing history, and generations of black women, while standing tall despite her own shortcomings as she marches, step by step, toward self-realization.

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

Noted scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. recounts the full trajectory of African-American history in this six-part series. The series explores the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed — forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds.

13th

When the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1865, former slaves expected freedom for the rest of their lives, as it ruled slavery of any kind unlawful. However, Director Ava Duvernay explores a loophole, which deems a form of slavery acceptable in the legal form of criminal punishment. Duvernay’s documentary “13th” takes a well-informed look at this loophole and administers a researched look at the American incarceration system and how it contributes to systemic racism today.

Black-Led Organizations to Follow

GLSEN

Instagram: @GLSEN

The National Black Justice Coalition

Instagram: @nbjconthemove

TransLash Media

Instagram: @translashmedia

African American Policy Forum

Instagram: @aapolicyforum

Article and resources from GLSEN.org https://www.glsen.org/Juneteenth#:~:text=For%20non%2DBlack%20allies%2C%20Juneteenth,with%20local%20Black%2Dled%20organizations

Local Events Celebrating Juneteenth

https://www.roccitymag.com/rochester/juneteenth-celebration/Event?oid=17650865

https://www.rochesterjuneteenth.com/

https://www.fingerlakesopera.org/2024-season/juneteenth-program

https://www.gcv.org/event/juneteenth-week/

https://www.lifespan-roch.org/new-events/2024/5/21/roc-respite-freedom-family-amp-fun-celebration

https://www.cityofrochester.gov/juneteenthblockparty/

https://www.rochester.edu/diversity/celebrating-juneteenth/

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day - May 5

On May 5, The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee held a vigil in Highland Park in recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children. This day recognizes Indigenous missing and murdered women and two-spirit people who have been murdered or disappeared across the Americas.

Indigenous women are up to ten times more likely to be murdered or sexually assaulted. There has been a history of silence and tolerance in the wake of these acts causing an ongoing crisis. Racist governmental policies and neglect are rampant on Indigenous lands all over Turtle Island. It is time to create awareness. We must work toward accountability for violent crimes that prey on Indigenous women, girls, and two Spirits. Red dresses have become a symbol for this day.

For more information, visit: https://www.niwrc.org/mmiw-awareness

Volunteer of the Month:

Ebony Burgess

We'd like to celebrate our newest mediator this month! Ebony Burgess took her Basic Mediation Training in 2023 and, almost a year later to the day, qualified as Mediator #870. Monroe County is privileged to be able to work with her on a regular basis, and we think you'll love her, too, if you get to know her. In her own words:

Ebony Burgess currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Department of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Ebony is charged with formulating strategy, improving performance, procuring material and resources, and ensuring compliance. In addition, Ebony plans, develops, and facilitates the Emerging Diverse Leaders Program for Monroe County Employees.

With nearly 20 years of leadership experience, Ebony’s mission is to act as an instrument of positive change in her workplace and community. Ebony is passionate about pouring into the lives of others to help them become their best selves. She has done this through mentoring and coaching staff, advocating for those without a voice, and promoting equitable systems for all. By utilizing her skills in conflict resolution, Ebony has become a certified mediator.

Ebony earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, followed by a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from the School of Business at Roberts Wesleyan College. Ebony enjoys spending time with her husband William and two daughters Brielle and Kamille. In addition, she enjoys traveling, hosting gatherings with family and friends, dancing and reading.

Volunteer Bill Daniels

Honored at Alumni Event

The University of Iowa recognized eight of their alumni over eighty years of age who continue to be active volunteers in their communities. 

CDS Volunteer Bill Daniels was one of the honorees this year at the annual recognition luncheon in Iowa City.

The event honors Iowa alums, age 80 and over, who carry the Hawkeye spirit of achievement and continue to help others.

Pictured: Bill Daniels and his daughter Twanda

Agency Updates

• Stace Pierce is the new leader of our Steuben County programs in addition to her responsibilities in Livingston County. Her new title is Director of Livingston/Steuben Counties. Thank you for your leadership, Stace!

• Congratulations to Martha Chazanoff who has been promoted to Program Manager in Livingston County!

• The Letitia Jane Rosenthal Mediation Room was formally dedicated in a ceremony on May 23rd. Letitia served as Director of Livingston County from 1987 to 2021. She was a driving force and compelling voice in the advancement of community mediation programs throughout Livingston County and beyond.

• We currently have two open positions:

Steuben County Youth Program Coordinator (Bath office)

Contact Stace Pierce: spierce@cdsadr.org

Community-Based Program Coordinator (Rochester office)

Contact Ronalyn Pollack: rpollack@cdsadr.org

For more information, visit: https://www.cdsadr.org/?q=job-postings

June Diversity Calendar 2024

If a holiday begins the evening before, we will mark it with an asterisk (*) below.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which recognizes the history and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other communities under this umbrella. It was selected as the month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which arose in response to police raiding the Stonewall Inn and other Greenwich Village lesbian and gay bars.

June 12 – Loving Day

This day honors the anniversary of the court decision Loving V. Virginia which legalized interracial marriage and struck down anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states at the time.

June 18 – International Day of Countering Hate Speech

This day was established in 2019 by the United Nations in response to rising trends of growing racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred globally.

June 19 – Juneteenth

Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden. It is this day that the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

June 22 – Windrush Day

First observed in the United Kingdom, Windrush Day honors African-Caribbean immigrants who came to the country during a labor shortage after World War II. The first immigrants suffered intolerance from the largely white population where Blacks were banned from many pubs, clubs, and even churches.

Source: diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2024/

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