Rochester Beacon (https://rochesterbeacon.com/category/community/)
Kendra Evans helped organize the 2016 Unity Walk against racism in Pittsford and co-founded PittsForward, a nonpartisan, grassroots initiative. Now she is running on the Democratic line against incumbent Supervisor Bill Smith, a Republican. Evans says she wants to spur “meaningful movement forward,” but can she win over those who believe efforts like PittsForward polarize the town?
John Riedman, who died recently at the age of 90, built a small Rochester-based insurance agency into the nation’s ninth-largest privately held insurance broker. Guided by his strong convictions, he also was an influential figure in Republican politics and became a leading area philanthropist.
Economic developers talk of “ecosystems,” a recognition that institutions, concentrations of knowledge and focused leadership spur economic vitality and growth. There is no stronger example in Rochester than the ecosystem that nurtures creative expression.
The city’s proposed comprehensive plan aims for increased economic development, infrastructure improvements, and greater economic and social equality. Its predecessor also had lofty goals; only some were achieved.
In 1898, some 3,000 people gathered in Highland Park to smell lilacs planted by famed horticulturist John Dunbar. Today, a half-million people take part in the 10-day Rochester Lilac Festival. Here are some things you may not know about these beautiful and fragrant symbols of renewal and love.
It hasn’t been easy acknowledging that I am of a different race than the majority in the United States. It’s been even more difficult understanding what to forgive as ignorance and what to call racist. But this I know: I no longer want to be labeled or pigeonholed.
Richard Sheridan believes “the greatest competitive advantage in our modern economy is a positive and engaged brain.” Could Rochester deploy his idea of joyful workplaces as a regional economic strategy?
Speaking at a recent RIT symposium, two renowned political philosophers—Robert George and Cornel West—with diametrically opposed ideologies spoke of the urgent need to counter fierce tribalism and civic division.
Returning for its 12th year, the annual festival has become a major showcase for creativity, innovation and problem-solving involving science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
The Susan B. Anthony Center at the University of Rochester is advocating for equal pay with the theme #EXTRA80. The center marks Equal Pay Day today.
Since becoming United Way CEO a year ago, Jaime Saunders has shown a willingness to take risks. “We’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to learn and course correct and grow,” she says.
