History
Moving Beyond Racism
The seeds of what would become “Moving Beyond Racism” began the summer of 1995 when Rev. Margie Mayson convened a group of faith leaders to explore how to mobilize the faith community to deal with the issue of racism in and around Rochester,
NY. This group met on a regular basis to gain insight on a personal level, as well as, to create ways to eliminate racism.
In April 1996 Rev. Linda Dolby attended a conference in Chicago and participated in a workshop entitled “Beyond Racism” presented by Charlotte Holloman the Program Director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Upon returning to Rochester Linda shared this experience with the group. They decided to invite Charlotte to Rochester and also invite other community leaders who were interested in dismantling racism to be there to hear
her. So in July of 1996 Charlotte spent a weekend here with about 20 people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds sharing in detail the program that she had developed dealing with racism.
Historical Highlights
October 1996 - launching of “Beyond Racism Project” which included
- release of “Rochester Sings Many Voices Many Visions” CD sponsored by WOKR
Channel 13
- October 26 – “Make a Difference Day” a celebration of racial diversity through music
- October 31 – “African Heritage Leadership Retreat”
Fall of 1997 – presented first
“Building Community Program”
Fall of 1998 – after second “Building Community Program” offered in the fall of 1998 Deacon Bill Coffey initiates
“Prayer Vigils” after homicides
June 12, 1999 – first of what has become an annual
“Remembrance Ceremony” to collectively honor those who died in the Middle Passage
2001
- changed our name from “Beyond Racism” to “Moving Beyond Racism”
- April 2001 – “Moving Beyond Racism Book Discussion Group” meets for the first time
- July 26, 2001 – Wilma Boddie Beaman (a founder of Moving Beyond Racism – a part of its heart and soul) passes, which is a great loss for the entire community;
see the Memorial page for more
information
- June, November, December of 2001 and January 2002 – “Race, Recruitment, Retention” presented to staff and administration at Monroe Community College as a result of a commitment of one of the participants in the “MBR Community Building Program”
2004
- March–May 2004 – “Moving Beyond Racism Building Community VI” which has evolved and improved over the years due to feed back from participants and continued evaluation of the process
- May 2004 – presented a day long workshop dealing with racism to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as a part of their year long commitment to “Multiculturalism and the Elimination of Racism”
We are thankful and appreciative of those who have provided support and affirmation of our work especially GRCC (Greater Rochester Community of Churches) and Charlotte Clarke of “Many Voices, Many Visions” Channel 13 WOKR.
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