ROCHESTER, NY, Sept. 12, 2025 – Hear from inspiring women during A Call to Women of Color, which will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Roundhouse Pavilion at Genesee Valley Park, Rochester. Admission is free.
The event focuses on empowering women and girls of color to engage in conversation and promote healthy living across generations of women and their families.
“During A Call to Women of Color, women come together to receive the power, unity and healing that comes from sharing experiences and wisdom,” said Jackie Dozier, director of Community Health and Wellbeing for Common Ground Health. “Each year, this event is planned by women of color for women of color.”
The theme is: "Sawubona: I See You. Celebrating Sisterhood through Our Unique Journeys." Local residents Sherita Bullock, Dr. Mary Tina Burrows, Madeline Funchess, Monica Glover, Persephone Modeste, and Darian Ward will share stories of women who inspired them.
The event will also include dancing, musical performances and lunch. Participants will also be able to shop the dozens of female vendors selling handcrafted items at the event. In addition to these female entrepreneurs and crafters, nonprofits will share information.
“This all started in my backyard 19 years ago, when I invited some of my talented friends to sell their items and invited others to speak and inspire those attending,” Dozier said. “Our focus has always been on the health of our sisterhood because when our sisters are healthy, our villages are healthier.”
Register for the event at commongroundhealth.org/actwoc. This year, a limited number of childcare spots are available and can be reserved via a link on the registration page.
Event sponsors are Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group, Rochester Regional Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Monroe County Board of Elections, Monroe County Department of Human Resources, WDKX, Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Rise Up Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center Center for Community Health and Prevention, University of Rochester Medical Center Wilmot Cancer Institute, Community Health Workers Association of Rochester, Ibero-American Action League, Rochester Black Nurses Association, Trillium Health, and the University of Rochester Medical Center School of Nursing.
About Common Ground Health
Founded in 1974, Common Ground Health is the health research and planning organization for the nine-county Rochester-Finger Lakes region. We bring together leaders from health care, education, business, government and other sectors to find common ground on health challenges. Learn more at commongroundhealth.org.