Community members gathered Friday, September 18, 2026 at Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church for the Senior Adult Community Engagement (SACE) initiative's annual BIPOC Senior Adult Recognition Month celebration, honoring the leadership, advocacy, service, and lasting contributions of Black, Indigenous, and other older adults of color throughout the Rochester community.
The event recognized Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay Harris with the inauguarl Martha L. Hope Award for her commitment to supporting older adults. Faith and Community Service Awards were presented to Wilma Pugh, Sonia Rodriguez, and Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, which also celebrated its 55th anniversary.
The program featured a keynote address from Rev. Dr. Melany Silas-Chandler, remarks from City Council Member At-Large Mitch Gruber, and a powerful intergenerational conversation led by student scholars from RCSD's Restorative HUB. Students and older adults reflected on the legacies they hope to leave behind, fostering meaningful dialogue across generations.
The annual celebration reflects SACE's mission to elevate the voices of older adults and ensure they are included in the community conversations and decisions that shape health, well-being, and quality of life for seniors and their families.