8:45-9:00 am

OPEN ROOM - EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE

9:00-9:15 am

CONFERENCE OPENING

Libation & Land Acknowledgement

Sponsor Remarks

Opening Remarks 

• Jerome H. Underwood, ABC President & CEO
• Letitia James, NYS Attorney General (Video Message)

KEYNOTE

(Q&A and Call to Action)

William Johnson, Jr.

Former Mayor, City of Rochester

PANEL DISCUSSION #1:

Knowing & Protecting Your Rights

With numerous and ongoing changes initiated through Executive Orders and Congressional Law, this panel will review some of these changes and provide clarity on items that affect us locally.

Moderator

• Craig Carson, Esq.,

  Law Office of Craig D. Carson PLLC

Panelists

• Dr. Leslie C. Myers-Small, Police Accountability Board
• Dr. Rashid Muhammad, JustCause
• Dr. Ashley Cross, HOPE585
• Bryan Hetherington, Empire Justice Center (Retired)

BREAK

12:45-1:00 pm

OPEN ROOM - EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE

AFTERNOON SESSION

PANEL DISCUSSION #2:

Business & Other Opportunities in an Uncertain Environment

The threats and reality of federal government funding reductions have created a level of uncertainty in the nonprofit and private sector segments. This panel will review and discuss opportunities, particularly for small businesses, that exist in these uncertain times.

Moderator

• Karen Edwards, 13WHAM

Panelists

• Dr. Lomax Campbell, Third Eye Network
• Shannon Scott, Sew-N-City
• Melissa Suchodolski, USC Builds
• Shannon Ealy, OneROC

PANEL DISCUSSION #3:

Youth Perspective

In all we do, it is important to get the perspective of our young people. The youth on this panel will discuss and share their thoughts and opinions regarding what solidarity means to them and how they are working through these uncertain times.

Moderator

• Marcus Cooper, Teen Empowerment

Panelists

• Jah'Cory Chapman
• Ni'Ziah Edmund
• Leeyah Williams
• Brianna Olivares

CLOSING FOR THE DAY

8:45-9:00 am

OPEN ROOM - EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE

9:00-9:15 am

CONFERENCE DAY TWO OPENING

Opening Remarks 

Jerome H. Underwood, ABC President & CEO

Libation & Land Acknowledgement

Sponsor Remarks 

MLK KEYNOTE

(Q&A and Call to Action)

Simeon Banister

President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation

PANEL DISCUSSION #4:

Solidarity in Human Service Leadership (BIPOC CEOs)

There are several well-known human service organizations that are led by BIPOC individuals. For the first time, ABC is hosting a panel discussion with a few of these CEOs to discuss what it means to be leading in this time… the highs, the challenges, and to what extent they interact with each other in furtherance of their missions.

Moderator

• Jerome H. Underwood, Action for a Better Community

Panelists

• Angelica Perez-Delgado, IBERO
• Dr. Linda Clark, Jordan Health Center
• Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, Urban League of Rochester
• Nikisha Ridgeway, Starbridge

BREAK

12:45-1:00 pm

OPEN ROOM - EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE

AFTERNOON SESSION

PANEL DISCUSSION #5:

What About DEI?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs have been dismantled by the federal government. These changes have led to changes in the names of departments, sanitizing of websites, and loss of jobs. However, the reasons for the development of DEI initiatives remain. This panel will review how some of our most prominent employers are addressing the new federal mandates relative to DEI.

Moderator

• Dr. Candice Lucas, Urban League of Rochester

Panelists

• Dr. Telva Olivares, URMC
• Dr. Lisa Harris, Excellus BCBS
• Marisa Geitner, Heritage Christian Services

PANEL DISCUSSION #6:

Food Insecurity, Immigration & Rochester as a Sanctuary City

The Reconciliation Bill passed by Congress in July 2025 contains significant changes to Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits. It also enacts and funds policies that are very concerning to immigrants and organizations that provide services to them. This panel will discuss what services are provided and what individuals who are impacted need to know about these changes.

Moderator

• Josie McClary, Monroe County Chief Community Engagement Officer 

Panelists

• Irene Sanchez, Enlace Services
• Thalia Wright, Monroe County Department of Human Services
• Shakira Hutchinson, Legal Aid Society of Rochester
• Mitch Gruber, Foodlink

CONFERENCE WRAP-UP & CLOSING

Summary and reiterate calls to action

Jerome  H. Underwood, President & CEO

Action for a Better Community, Inc.