Urban League of Rochester joins Monroe County and City leaders in marking five years of progress at the RASE Commission Annual Community Update

Rochester, New York – Rochester’s ongoing effort to build a more equitable and inclusive community reached an important milestone this week as more than 200 residents, local officials, and organizational leaders gathered for the fifth anniversary of the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE). The event, hosted by the Urban League of Rochester in partnership with Monroe County and the City of Rochester, took place at the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center and served as both a celebration of progress and a call to continue the work ahead.

The gathering brought together a diverse mix of people—community members who have felt the real effects of policy change, city and county representatives, business and nonprofit leaders, and long-standing advocates for justice. Attendees heard firsthand stories of transformation from residents whose lives have improved through the RASE recommendations. In addition, the Community Advancing Recommendation Teams, or CART groups, presented updates on their projects, showing how collaboration and sustained effort have turned ideas into measurable action.

Roundtable discussions filled much of the day, inviting participants to reflect on what has been achieved and to help shape the direction of the next five years. The atmosphere was one of both reflection and determination—a recognition that while progress has been made, Rochester’s work toward racial equity remains an ongoing journey.

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Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello spoke to that sense of progress and perseverance. “I was hopeful that by forming the RASE Commission in 2020, we would see real improvement in the systemic inequality that has plagued Rochester and Monroe County for so much of our past,” said Bello. “While we still have work to do, I could not have dreamed of how well our community would rise to the challenge—neighbors, leaders, and organizations all working side by side to create meaningful change. With gratitude to the Urban League, our partners and the many individuals who gave their time, talent, and heart, we stand here today with real progress to show for it. And as long as we remain united, we will continue to build a future that is fairer, healthier, and stronger for everyone.”

That theme of shared responsibility and resilience echoed throughout the event. The RASE Commission, launched in 2020 in response to nationwide calls for racial justice, presented over 200 recommendations aimed at dismantling structural inequities within Rochester and Monroe County. These recommendations touched nearly every aspect of civic life—education, housing, healthcare, criminal justice, employment, and public policy. Since then, city and county officials have partnered with dozens of community organizations to put more than half of those ideas into practice.

Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans reflected on how the initiative’s early ambitions have turned into tangible results. “Five years ago, the RASE Commission embarked on an ambitious effort to develop recommendations that were detailed and extensive,” said Evans. “I am beyond proud at how Rochester and Monroe County’s residents came together to remove barriers and build, step by step, a more inclusive community from those blueprints. With special thanks to the Urban League, we are here today because hundreds of caring and committed individuals and dozens of agencies and organizations embraced diversity, equity and inclusion, not as a passing fad but as a way to shape a healthy and more prosperous community. Today, we can see the benefits, which will only grow as long as we continue to put in the work and stand together, ‘Roc Solid,’ regardless of how our nation’s political winds may blow.”

The Urban League of Rochester has played a vital role in coordinating these efforts and ensuring that momentum continues. Urban League President and CEO Dr. Seanelle Hawkins expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership among local leaders and the community itself. “I want to thank the Mayor, the County Executive, and our community for entrusting the Urban League of Rochester to carry forward the important work of the RASE Commission,” said Hawkins. “I am deeply grateful to our staff and CART facilitators for their steadfast dedication to advancing these recommendations and championing equity across Monroe County. While we honor the progress that has been made, we recognize there is still much to do. At a time when the national commitment to inclusion and justice is being rescinded, we call on our community leaders to continue standing with us as we work to fully realize the RASE recommendations and interrupt systems of inequity in our community.”

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Throughout the event, speakers highlighted not only what has been accomplished but also what remains unfinished. From expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses to reforming public safety and enhancing educational access, the RASE Commission’s work continues to evolve. Attendees emphasized that real change requires consistency—policies must be maintained, partnerships nurtured, and the community’s voice kept at the center of every decision.

Reports and progress summaries from the Community Update will be made available to the public on www.RocRASE.com, where residents and organizations can also sign up to get involved in advancing the Commission’s work.

Five years after its formation, the RASE Commission stands as both a symbol of Rochester’s progress and a reminder of the work that lies ahead. The community’s collective effort—rooted in collaboration, accountability, and shared vision—has already produced visible results. Yet, as leaders at the event made clear, equity is not a destination but a continuing commitment. The fifth anniversary gathering showed that in Rochester, that commitment remains as strong as ever.