By Tyronda James tyrondajames@minorityreporter.net Photo from https://www.ccocrochester.com/ Franklin Delano Roosevelt Florence, Sr. passed away Saturday, February 1 at the age of 88. Born in Miami, Florida on August 9, 1934, Florence was well-known locally for his activism and spent more than 50 years working for civil rights here in Rochester, New York. He was known locally as Minister Florence and was the founder of Rochester’s Central Church of Christ where he served as Senior Pastor until his passing.. His Life and Accomplishments Hozel and Berth Florence welcomed Florence into the world ..read more

Op-ed by Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (Ret.) Dr. E. Faye Williams. File photo from https://drefayewilliams.com/ Carter Godwin Woodson, The Father of Negro (Black) History, remains an invaluable source of historic information and critical thinking which prepares today’s young African Americans to confront and challenge the persistent racism that continues to plague the national psyche. Ninety years ago, when most sources of public information characterized African Americans as ignorant, non-contributing, sub-human vermin who had no legitimate place in American society, Carter G. Woodson was a voc ..read more

Op-ed by Ben Jealous Ben Jealous. File photo We’ve had more mass shootings this year than we’ve had days this year. It’s sad to imagine that Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park will join a list with Uvalde and Buffalo and Orlando and Charleston and Sandy Hook and Columbine, reference points for a national epidemic we haven’t mustered the will to end despite decades of tragedies. But they likely will unless we can confront both the symptom that is gun violence and the underlying disease that causes it. I shoot for sport, and I’ve trained others to shoot. I live in a coastal community in Maryland wh ..read more

By Mark Waghorn In a new study found by The Journal Science Of The Total Environment, a study was found that electric cars reduce air pollution and boost public health. Asthma attacks and other respiratory problems fall as uptake rises, say scientists. The Mazda MX-30 EV is parked at a charging station in the parking lot. A new study found that electric cars have helped boost public health while it has reduced air pollution. KINDEL MEDIA/SWNS TALKER The findings are based on the first “real world study” of its kind – looking at the controversial vehicles’ impact on individual neighborhoods ..read more

By Stephen Beech A new smartphone app may help identify stroke symptoms as they are happening. Preliminary research suggests the app, called FAST.AI, could be as accurate at diagnosing a stroke as a neurologist. Early recognition of stroke symptoms may result in more timely treatment, which may minimize the long-term effects and improve chances of a full recovery. Early recognition of stroke symptoms may result in more timely treatment. Preliminary research suggests the app, called FAST.AI, could be as accurate at diagnosing a stroke as a neurologist. AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION/SWNS TALKER ..read more

By Virginia Van Zandt The first time that the U.S. was attacked by balloons from the Far East, six people were killed at a Sunday school picnic in the forests of Oregon.  Other bomb-laden balloons struck California, Texas, Colorado and other parts of western North America.  As Washington continues to debate the timing of President Biden’s orders to shoot down the Chinese “spy balloon” off the coast of South Carolina on February 4, the events recall an earlier attack launched by Imperial Japan during World War II.  The Japanese launched some 10,000 “Fu-Go” balloons carrying fi ..read more

By David W. Marshall David W. Marshall. File photo. There is no way one can put a price on the value of a child’s education. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.” Dr. King’s words remind us that we must fix the root causes behind broken systems that continue to allow children to fall through the cracks. It starts by understanding how and why the systems are broken. Experts trace the current teacher shortage to the 2008 Great Recession when the na ..read more

Health Op-ed by Hannah Farley Hannah Farley, promotion, education and targeted outreach manager at the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Black people have a higher cancer burden and face greater barriers to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survival. Inequities in the health care system affect Black people more than any other marginalized group. Disparities in health insurance and access to health care services lead to poor health outcomes. For example, Black people have the highest death rate and shortest survival ..read more

In the Community: From the Lead Partners: Partners In Community Development’s BIPOC PEEEEEK This Black History Month 2023 community professionals will offer free educational sessions will be offered online and in person to address Mental Health in the Black Community. This year’s series theme is “We Are Each Other’s Medicine” will feature Mental Health experts, Faith Leaders, Parents, Community Leaders and stakeholders will address a number of topics of interest including stigma, cultural perspective, provider bias, violence, suicide, the criminalization of mental health in communities of col ..read more

According to Forbes, you can save on your monthly energy bills by ensuring that your HVAC system is in excellent condition. For this reason, ensure your Rochester home HVAC system is checked regularly. Proper maintenance also helps avoid costly repairs. Don’t know when to opt for a check-up? Don’t fret. Your HVAC will give you some warning signs. Here are the four common signs to check out. 1. Warm Air From the Vents If you notice inefficiency in cooling your home, your HVAC refrigerant could be leaking. When your unit runs low on refrigerant, it won’t cool the air as usual. Your HVAC system d ..read more