Being Black in America: Discussion & Collective Action

Schedule

Thu Oct 23 2025 at 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Legacy Drama House | Rochester, NY

Advertisement
Film + panel + collective action centering the liberation of Queer Black folks.
About this Event

What is it to YOU to be Black in America? This is a question we posed to seven Black Americans in our award-winning documentary, Being Black in America.
Filmed in 2024, Being Black in America shows an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? Itโ€™s a question thatโ€™s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.
This is not your ordinary screening. This is a bridge-building, thought-provoking, and an organizing event using film as a catalyst for change. Immediately following our screening, we'll hear from storytellers featured in the film, followed by a Q&A as well as community-engaged entrepreneurs, community leaders, and educators to participate as a collective in an action item of our choosing.
This event is free and open to the public. ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Be sure to arrive early at 6pm to participate in a one-question survey that will be a part of our discussion after the film. Our main area of focus of discussion will be on The Intersectionality of Being Black and Queer.
Join us for our screening of Being Black in America and in these important discussions!


Agenda

๐Ÿ•‘: 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Doors Open & Networking

Info: Arrive early to connect with community partners tabling the event. Learn about local organizations, grab resources, answer our Collective Action question, and settle in.


๐Ÿ•‘: 06:30 PM - 07:15 PM
Intros & Film Screening

Info: Watch Being Black in America, a powerful short film documenting a conversation within a diverse group of Black Americans answering the question, What is it to you to be Black in America?


๐Ÿ•‘: 07:15 PM - 07:25 PM
Intermission

Info: Sit with the film a bit, stretch, grab a snack, run to restroom, and visit our partner tables.


๐Ÿ•‘: 07:25 PM - 07:50 PM
Panel Discussion + Q&A

Info: Hear directly from storytellers featured in the film as they share reflections, talk about their experiences in being Black and queer, and respond to audience questions.


๐Ÿ•‘: 07:50 PM - 08:30 PM
Collective Action & Wrap-Up

Info: Weโ€™ll review everyone's answers to our Collective Action question and identify and participate in one concrete action for Black liberation. Lastly, we'll give folks a chance to revisit our partner tables and sign up to get more involved with what they do for our community.


Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Legacy Drama House, 112 Webster Avenue, Rochester, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Know whatโ€™s Happening Next โ€” before everyone else does.
Our Voices Project

Host or Publisher Our Voices Project

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Rochester

Pumpkin Carving Dinner with Lento
Thu, 23 Oct at 06:00 pm Pumpkin Carving Dinner with Lento

Lento Restaurant

HALLOWEEN WORKSHOPS
How To Buy A House Class with Hannah Mazzaferro and Elena Castronova
Thu, 23 Oct at 06:00 pm How To Buy A House Class with Hannah Mazzaferro and Elena Castronova

Rising Storm: The Mill

WORKSHOPS BUSINESS
Craft & Sip at Altbar: Disco Ghost Mosaics
Thu, 23 Oct at 06:00 pm Craft & Sip at Altbar: Disco Ghost Mosaics

AltBar

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Mystikal Magic Halloween Event @ Unwine'd
Thu, 23 Oct at 06:00 pm Mystikal Magic Halloween Event @ Unwine'd

UNWINE'D

HALLOWEEN ART
Carve and Sip for Pups!
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:00 pm Carve and Sip for Pups!

Marshall Street Bar & Grill

HALLOWEEN
A Little Craft Night at the Movies
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:00 pm A Little Craft Night at the Movies

The Little Theatre

ENTERTAINMENT CRAFTS
Volleyball
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:00 pm Volleyball

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

SPORTS
Rochester Americans vs. Laval Rocket
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:00 pm Rochester Americans vs. Laval Rocket

Blue Cross Arena

TRIPS-ADVENTURES CONTESTS
Rare Rochester Amazing Race & Tour
Tue, 29 Oct at 11:00 am Rare Rochester Amazing Race & Tour

Ugly Duck Coffee

SPORTS DOG
Comedy Open Mic @ ROC Cinema
Wed, 26 Feb at 08:30 pm Comedy Open Mic @ ROC Cinema

ROC Cinema

COMEDY OPEN-MIC
Return to Wholeness - A Breath, Music & Energy Workshop
Thu, 20 Mar at 09:00 am Return to Wholeness - A Breath, Music & Energy Workshop

Rochester Virtual via Zoom

WORKSHOPS VIRTUAL
A Date Night Adventure! - Big Little Rochester
Sat, 31 May at 08:00 am A Date Night Adventure! - Big Little Rochester

181 S Clinton Ave

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
FEST NOZ - Global Dance For All - Free Folkloric Dance Workshop
Fri, 06 Jun at 07:30 pm FEST NOZ - Global Dance For All - Free Folkloric Dance Workshop

Nazareth University, Shults Community Center, Forum

WORKSHOPS FESTIVALS
Free Live Jazz Every Friday at Vine and Tap
Fri, 29 Aug at 06:30 pm Free Live Jazz Every Friday at Vine and Tap

4768 Lake Ave

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rochester Ghost Hunt
Fri, 05 Sep at 04:00 pm Rochester Ghost Hunt

University & Strathallan

TRIPS-ADVENTURES CONTESTS
Ghosts of Rochester, NY: Join the Hunt!
Fri, 05 Sep at 05:00 pm Ghosts of Rochester, NY: Join the Hunt!

University & Strathallan

TRIPS-ADVENTURES CONTESTS
French for Kids | 6-11 years old
Sat, 13 Sep at 09:00 am French for Kids | 6-11 years old

La Maison Francaise

KIDS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Rochester Audio Tour: Bridges, Beats & Icons Unveiled
Mon, 22 Sep at 12:00 pm Rochester Audio Tour: Bridges, Beats & Icons Unveiled

Broad Street Bridge (Rochester, New York)

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Rochester Audio Tour: Jazz, Toys & Timeless Architecture Unveiled
Mon, 22 Sep at 12:00 pm Rochester Audio Tour: Jazz, Toys & Timeless Architecture Unveiled

The Pythodd Room

ART ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Rochester?

Discover Rochester Events