Discover qualified Black professionals in Rochester, NY across all industries and specialties. Connect with lawyers, doctors, accountants, real estate agents, therapists, and other service providers who understand your cultural background, speak your language, and are dedicated to serving the Black community with excellence and cultural sensitivity.
13th Annual State of Our Children Address and Report Card Release
ROC the Future Alliance is proud to host the 13th Annual State of Our Children Address and Report Card Release!
More than 500 community leaders, elected officials, sponsors, parents and youth will come together to make a transformative impact on Rochester.
Join us for an exciting event on February 26 at 2:00pm at Theater At Innovation Square,
131 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604. Doors open at 1:30pm.
We are proud to announce that Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes, City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will be joining us this year for a fireside chat with Ashley Philippsen, Executive Director of Impact Tulsa.
Deputy Mayor Reyes, the first Latina to fill this role in the city’s history, oversees education, youth, and resilience initiatives. Prior to being appointed Deputy Mayor she served for over five years as Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Tulsa. In that role, she directed the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity, overseeing city-wide strategies to advance resilience, equity, and welcoming through the implementation of policies, programs, and practice changes.
Throughout her career in local governments and nonprofit organizations, she has led the planning, development, and implementation of initiatives that have increased early education opportunities for children, improved access to services for families and immigrant communities, and led to meaningful community partnerships.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear an insightful conversation and stay informed.
Come and be a part of this important gathering!
Film, panel + action: rethinking Black economic empowerment beyond capitalism
What is it to YOU to be Black in America? This is a question we posed to seven Black Americans in our award-winning documentary, Being Black in America.
Filmed in 2024, Being Black in America shows an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.
This is not your ordinary screening. This is a bridge-building, thought-provoking, and an organizing event using film as a catalyst for change. Immediately following our screening, we'll hear from storytellers featured in the film, followed by a Q&A as well as community-engaged entrepreneurs, community leaders, and educators to participate as a collective in an action item of our choosing.
This event is free and open to the public. ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Be sure to arrive early at 6pm to participate in a one-question survey that will be a part of our discussion after the film. Our main area of focus of discussion will be on Black Capitalism--how we uplift Black businesses while reimagining economic systems beyond capitalism.
Join us for our screening of Being Black in America and in these important discussions!
Based in Rochester, New York, the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Inc. represents a dedicated collective of over 60 diverse medical professionals united by a shared commitment to transforming healthcare through diversity and inclusion. Founded on the principle that dreams of a medical career should become achievable realities, BPN operates as more than just a professional organization—it functions as a beacon of hope and empowerment for aspiring Black medical professionals throughout the greater Rochester area. Our members, comprising physicians, dentists, and healthcare leaders, understand firsthand the unique challenges and barriers that talented individuals face on their journey to medical careers. We are passionate about nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders by providing mentorship, educational support, and community connection. BPN's approach extends beyond financial assistance; we foster meaningful relationships between scholars and experienced physicians, create supportive networks, and engage in leadership development initiatives that prepare future doctors to serve their communities with cultural competence and dedication. Our identity statement reflects our core mission: to reduce health disparities and improve community health by increasing the number of Black physicians in Rochester and surrounding regions. Every scholar in our program benefits from our collective wisdom, professional networks, and genuine commitment to breaking down systemic barriers. At BPN, we believe that diversity in medicine enriches the profession and ensures that all communities receive healthcare from providers who understand their unique needs and backgrounds.
Founded in 1962, the Rochester Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. represents over six decades of commitment to nurturing African American youth in Rochester, NY. The organization emerged from the vision of local mothers who recognized the value of structured peer support and developmental opportunities for their children, building on the success of Jack and Jill chapters in other communities. Today, the Rochester chapter continues this legacy as a membership organization of mothers dedicated to strengthening children ages 2-19 through meaningful relationships and shared purpose. What distinguishes Jack and Jill in Rochester is its focus on the whole child—combining leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty into an integrated approach to youth formation. Members become part of a caring community where mothers support one another while their children develop alongside peers who share similar backgrounds and aspirations. The chapter's emphasis on civic duty and community service reflects a deep belief that young people thrive when they understand their connection to something larger than themselves. By participating in volunteer initiatives and philanthropic activities, children in the Rochester community learn that leadership is inseparable from service. The organization's multi-generational approach—with mothers actively involved in their children's development—creates an environment of accountability, mentorship, and mutual growth. For families in Rochester, NY, Jack and Jill offers more than programming; it provides a supportive community rooted in shared values and a proven track record of helping young people become thoughtful, engaged citizens.