05/02/2026
Gratitude. Reflection. Action.
What an extraordinary and powerful afternoon in Rochester.
More than 200 community members, leaders, clinicians, advocates, and change agents gathered for the screening of The Ebony Canal:
A Story of Black Infant Health and what we experienced together was more than a film.
It was a mirror, a message, and a mandate.
We came together to bear witness to truth, to honor lived experiences, and to confront a reality we can no longer ignore:
Too many mothers and babies are lost and too many of those outcomes are preventable.
From the very beginning, the tone was set with power, purpose, and presence by our exceptional emcee, Dr. Ebony D. Caldwell.
Dr. Caldwell didn’t just guide the program, she held space for truth, reflection, and community. Her voice reminded us that this work is not just clinical it is personal, cultural, and deeply human.
She created the container for what this moment required:
Honesty. Courage. And accountability.
My fireside chat with Emmai Alaquiva reminded us that this work is not just storytelling, it is justice work, public health advocacy, and movement-building.
Together, we moved from:
➡️ Awareness
➡️ Reflection
➡️ Responsibility
➡️ Action
We extend heartfelt appreciation to our dynamic panel, whose expertise and lived commitment continue to push this work forward:
• Emmai Alaquiva
• Dr. Marielena Velez de Brown
• Dr. Tracy Renee Weber
• Phyllis Sharp
• Ken Harris
• Dr. Twylla Dillon for guiding the conversation
The Power of 9: Honoring Grassroots Excellence
In alignment with the Power of 9, we proudly recognized nine organizations whose daily work is saving lives and strengthening families in our community. These are not just organizations they are lifelines.
• Building Healthy Children
• Engaging Fathers Program
• Flower City Lactation & Doula Services
• Healthi Kids
• Healthy Baby Network
• Ibero-American Action League
• Place of Wisdom: Maternal & Family Wellness
• Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative
• YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County
Your grassroots leadership is powerful, necessary, and deeply valued.
This moment would not have been possible without the collective effort of so many:
• Our visionary partners: Health Transformers, Inc., At The Table Consulting, and HealthConnect One
• The incredible Ebony Canal team, award-winning director Emmai Alaquiva, Sydney Martin, and Marceia Perry Dix.
• The Dryden Theatre staff and Creative Caterers
• Our dedicated REOC practical nursing students and volunteers
With sincere appreciation to our sponsors for investing in this work and this community:
• Medtronic
• Monroe County
• KeyBank
• Jordan Health
• University of Rochester
• The Fitstevens Family
• Excellus
• FLPPS
• Ellis K. Consulting
• Genesee Baptisit Church
• Hurwitz Fine Attorneys
• Enterprose Solutions International
• ERANE ALLEN
• KATE NELSON
• CORNICE WILLIAMS
• DELTA NU OMEGA CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED
• ROCHESTER ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED
• ROCHESTER, NY CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED
• 105.5 The Beat
• Fox Sports AM1280 Rochester
• Customz by Carys
• Image Printers
• J. Mills Sweet and Salty Kettle Popcorn
What Happens Next Matters Most
Rochester showed up.
Rochester leaned in.
And Rochester left with a call to action.
Because this is about more than a moment.
This is about movement.
This is about:
Saving mothers
Protecting babies
Changing outcomes
Let’s not leave this conversation behind.
Let’s carry it forward together.
Pictures by Flood and Flood, LLC
