A month-long effort to highlight local efforts in the "Stand Against Racism" included an event Friday at the Hyatt Hotel downtown which drew about 400 people.
The event, organized by the YWCA, also featured a panel discussion to talk about ways to build awareness on this issue.
Rochester Business Alliance President Bob Duffy says his organization and its member businesses try to get out the word that this not only makes for a more equitable society, it's also good business.
“Diversity is a strength, and a lot of it is just providing opportunities for people and when you look at our education outcomes, we have to totally restructure things so our graduation rates aren’t one of every two.”
Mayor Lovely Warren made the point that whatever conversations are going on about racism should involve not just the city but the entire region.
“We’re all interconnected and the city is the urban hub but as we start to move forward we want to make sure that we’re moving forward in a way that’s inclusive of everyone in our county and in our city, and the rising tide lifts all boats and so as a community we have to do it together.”
Others on the panel included RIT President Bill Destler, Gladys Pedrasza-Burgos of the Ibero-American Action League, and William Castle of Xerox.
The panel discussion was followed by those attending the conference to break into small groups to have conversations about ways to combat racism.
A number of organizations have been hosting events where people sign a pledge to take a stand against racism.
