This year, the City of Rochester’s Black Heritage Committee is celebrating 100 years of honoring Rochester’s Black community.
The committee celebrates alongside the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. On July 4, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This year, the U.S. Congress invites citizens to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future.
On April 11, the Committee gathered to celebrate 100 years of Rochester’s Black History at the City of Rochester’s Black Heritage Gala and honor local pioneers.
The Black Heritage Committee honors 100 years of Black history and American history
In 2001, a group of employees and volunteers for the City of Rochester established the committee to host educational activities during Black History Month. Hazel Washington, Co-Chair of the committee, has spent over ten years on the board, four of them in a leadership role.
Since joining the committee in 2003, Washington has seen their efforts expand. “ It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of a group that tries to educate the community on the accomplishments of African Americans,” said Washington, “ I believe that we have a civic responsibility to make our communities safe, vibrant, culturally safe, and [building communities] economically.”
Through their events, the committee continues to uplift the pioneers of Rochester’s Black History. Located in the City of Rochester town hall, the committee commemorates the rich history with a wall of names for Rochester pioneers of all backgrounds.
Some of the people you can find on the wall include:
“ It is American history, and it will remain, and we will continue to influence and shape, not only black history, but American history,” said Washington, “ Often African Americans don’t get credit for their contributions to African American history, local history, national history, and the leadership that we have in this country now is really trying to erase our history, which is impossible.”
Washington encourages residents to join the committee in continuing the celebrations of the history and future of Rochester’s Black community. The committee is hosting a series of events throughout 2026 and has plans for this year’s upcoming Juneteenth Festival.
Details for the Juneteenth Festival will be released in early May. Visit cityofrochester.gov for a full lineup of the committee’s events for this year.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Black Heritage Committee marks century of history
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
