Equity & Advocacy
As one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organizations, the Urban League of Rochester plays an integral role in interrupting individual, institutional, and structural racism through education, organizational leadership, and policy change that leads to lasting community transformation.
Through our Equity and Advocacy Division, we work to dismantle systems of inequity and interrupt all forms of racism by:
Partnering with local governments and elected officials to identify and change inequitable laws, policies, and practices that perpetuate structural racism
Providing training and technical assistance to businesses, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions to embed racial equity, justice, and inclusion into their policies, practices, and organizational culture
Mobilizing community stakeholders, residents, and leaders to address the social and structural factors that perpetuate racism and contribute to inequitable health, economic, and social outcomes
Our vision is to create an inclusive region where communities have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and the conditions needed to thrive.
INTERRUPT RACISM™ Summit
The annual INTERRUPT RACISM™ Summit is an immersive learning experience designed for adults and youth alike to participate and come together to develop a deep understanding of what work needs to be done to dismantle systemic racism; develop pathways for learning and healing from race-related matters; and create realistic action plans for ensuring the health, wealth, and safety of BIPOC individuals.
The INTERRUPT RACISM™ Cohort is a year-long program focused on learning equitable practices and unlearning racist practices at both the individual and workplace levels. Using a cohort model, we build bridges between community leaders, helping organizations form a “Change Team” of up to 10 members, ideally from all levels of the organization. These teams receive training, workshops, and one-on-one coaching to assess and improve their workplace culture, policies, and practices through an antiracist lens. Sliding-scale pricing is available for not-for-profit organizations.
The Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) was appointed in August of 2020 by former Mayor Lovely Warren and County Executive Adam Bello. The Commission was charged to review local city and county laws, policies, and ordinances to identify areas of structural inequity and recommend ways to change those laws to achieve fair application for all citizens. In March of 2021, the Commission delivered the 215-recommendation Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) Report to the mayor and county executive spanning the areas of Business Development, Criminal Justice, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Human Services, Job Creation, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Policing. In addition, the Commission called for a successor organization to be named and given the authority to monitor the timeliness of the implementation of the recommendations and establish a manner for reporting back to the community. In March of 2022, the Urban League of Rochester was selected as the successor organization to the RASE Commission.
All In ROC Community Health Outreach
The All In ROC Community Health Outreach Partnership reduces health disparities in Rochester by improving access to care in underserved ZIP codes. We bring together healthcare providers, nonprofits, and volunteers to engage residents directly through door-to-door outreach, addressing concerns and connecting them with resources. Our work prioritizes trust, accessibility, and real-time support.
ROC Community Table
Since November 2024, the ROC Community Table - a nonpartisan initiative by the Urban League of Rochester - has worked to strengthen democratic participation and amplify community voice in policymaking across Monroe County. Created in response to federal policy shifts affecting education, healthcare, immigration, and more, this initiative provides a space for residents to review policy impacts, engage with officials, and organize advocacy efforts.
Contact
For more information about Equity and Advocacy programs, please contact Sr. Vice President, Dr. Candice Lucas at clucas@ulr.org.