The new Rotary Community Chat will continue each fourth Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 819 Madison St.

THIS MONTH: Danielle Laraque-Arena, the newly appointed first female president of SUNY Upstate Medical University, will lead the chat to talk about her vision for the school on March 28
APRIL: Leola Rodgers, president and CEO of Syracuse Community Health Center, will speak on her perspective for the needs of the Syracuse community on April 25

To RSVP, contact the City Rotary Club by the preceding Friday at RotaryCommunityChats@
gmail.com or call (315) 468-1025

The Media Unit will perform “From The Back of The Bus” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave. The performance is free but tickets are limited. To register for the viewing, visit reachcny.org

The Sixth Annual Spring Syracuse Gospel Music Concert will be held 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University. The concert is free to attend. The program will consist of gospel music from local choirs and artists, dance, poetry and more. This year will feature a
spotlight on colleges and universities. For more info, contact Dr. Joan Hillsman, director
of the Syracuse Gospel Music Workshop of America, at (315) 299-4928 or email
jhillsman@twcny.rr.com

Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse will hold its annual banquet, "Transforming Syracuse: Claiming Power to Build an Equitable Community," Tuesday, April 19, at Drumlins Country Club.

18th Annual YWCA Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism and Promote Diversity will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at SKY Armory, 351 S. Clinton St. Cost is $75 for the luncheon and workshops, and $50 for luncheon only. The event begins with Community Advocacy and Diversity Workshop Program and concludes with a noontime luncheon and award presentation. The event’s theme is “A Real Conversation: Addressing the Barriers to Progress in CNY.” The keynote speaker is Melanie Littlejohn, regional executive at National Grid; and Mark D. Muhammad, associate professor at Onondaga Community College, is Master of Ceremonies. The Champion of Opportunity Award will recognize individuals, institutions, companies and organizations leading noteworthy efforts to promote diversity and advance the elimination of racism at a local level. For more information, visit ywca-syracuse.org

Clean-Up Cuse and Syracuse Grows Resource Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Rahma Edible Forest Snack Garden, 3100 S. Salina St. This will be the Rahma Garden's fifth year to host a Clean-Up Cuse event where volunteers will clean the garden space, work on South Salina Street, West Newell Street and West Pleasant Avenue. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a group form your church, club and/or community group to volunteer. There will also be mulch and compost work, so shovelers welcome. To RSVP, visit the group’s Facebook page.

Earth Day, sponsored by OCRRA, is quickly approaching! This year, South Side TNT will have a Clean-up crew on Saturday, April 23, starting at 10 a.m. (for about two hours or as energy permits). Meet on Brighton Avenue near Danforth School to clean along the Creek Walk. Park anywhere on Brighton Avenue or near there. Contact Pauline Lozano at 877-3473 or lilyiris1@hotmail.com to learn more. Pauline will provide trash bags. Suggestions for additional things to bring: A bucket, grabber and/or garden gloves for safety and wear suitable clothing for visibility and warmth. Note: Please Do Not touch any sharps (syringe needles) you may find. These need to be safely placed in a plastic container, taped shut and labeled SHARPS.

The new Rotary Community Chat will continue each fourth Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 819 Madison St. In April, Leola Rodgers, president and CEO of Syracuse Community Health Center, will speak on her perspective for the needs of the Syracuse community on April 25. To RSVP, contact the City Rotary Club by the preceding Friday at RotaryCommunityChats@gmail.com or call (315) 468-1025

In collaboration with the Syracuse Chapter of the Links, Inc. CFAC artwork from local high school students will be on display during The 44th Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition. An Opening Reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7; exhibit continues through May 20, at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), 805 E. Genesee St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free and open to the public.