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.

Preschool Dance Party will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, at the library. Children from birth to 5 years old can move & groove to new songs and sing along to old favorites.

Rahma Clinic Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Rahma Health Clinic, 3100 S. Salina St. Sponsored in part by a generous grant from The Gifford Foundation, this health fair will bring more than 15 health professionals to the clinic to offer educational materials, answer questions about preventive and integrative medical care, give away health-related products and provide free health screenings. Free to attend. For more information, call (315) 565-5667.

Big Rig Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Burnet Park, Coleridge and Burnet Park Drive entrance. Children and their families can climb in behind the big wheels of big trucks and other rigs from area companies and organizations. Free admission. For more information, call the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Program at (315) 473-4330.

The Southwest Community Center’s Innovative Explorers Summer Camp will hold a fundraising concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Palace Theatre featuring The Kings of the Falls band and students of Southwest Community Center's afterschool program. The Innovative Explorers Summer Camp seeks to raise $18,000 to support 125 campers this summer. Tickets are $30 each with reduced rates available for children under 12 years old and students with a student ID. If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring a youth or making a contribution to the 2016 Innovative Explorers Summer Camp, send all donations to Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc. For more information, contact Valerie Hill at (315) 671-5803.