Black Women ROC! 2021 | What to Expect

Recognizing the Black women who break barriers

In its 5^th year, Black Women ROC! is an annual digital media campaign that highlights the accomplishments of local Black women who are change agents in the Rochester community. We are pleased to share that we ended this year’s nomination period with over 30 submissions all of which eloquently highlighted the many individuals on the front lines of changing our city for the better. We cannot wait to share more about the nominated women, their experiences, and passions with you throughout the entire month of July!

how do we select our Black Women ROC nominees?

There is no shortage of talented Black women committed to transforming Rochester into a more equitable place for all. This year we really wanted to make sure that we’re giving voice to people who are unsung so that more folks can learn about them and what they’re doing to change the community in unique & often behind-the-scenes ways. From the nominations, we consider this along with the number of nominations individuals receive from our community.

what to expect from the 2021 Black Women ROC! campaign!

Throughout the month of July, 540WMain will spotlight one Black woman per week on our social media and on our blog. This year is unique in that each woman will be spotlighted with an exclusive feature about their work including an in-depth interview with Allison Grace Harper and high-quality photographs taken by local photographer, Allison McDonald.

Allison McDonald is a photographer based out of Rochester, New York. Allison studied at Monroe Community College (MCC) and The College at Brockport, studying photography and television, and studio art with a photography concentration. Allison’s photos incorporate different elements of nature, beauty, and life experiences, while taking a deeper look into the beauty and essence of those photographed, alongside the beautiful surroundings of the environment.

The campaign will culminate with a virtual panel discussion centering the work and voices of our nominees, moderated by local journalist and 540 blog writer, Brianna Milon.

Bri shares with us about the campaign and panel, “These womxn break barriers in their everyday lives and deserve the recognition. Black womxn are the foundation of a community and often go unappreciated or unnoticed. We feed, cloth, and care for people and will normally do it without asking for much in return. Let’s remember to shine a light on those who fly under the radar. They are the people who work behind the scenes with very little public love. Show them you see their efforts.”

while announcement of the 2021 nominees is forthcoming, you can still get involved now!

1. Register to attend the panel discussion on July 31, you will not want to miss this one!
2.  Make sure you follow 540WMain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
3. Join our email list