City of Rochester News Release
(Tuesday, May 18, 2021) - Mayor Lovely A. Warren today joined City Chief of Staff Brittaney Wells, Chief Equity Officer Dr. Cephas Archie and representatives from faith, community and philanthropic organizations for the City’s first Reparations and Universal Basic Income (RUBI) Committee meeting.
The Reparations and Universal Basic Income Exploratory (RUBI) Committee was tasked by Mayor Warren in April to explore the implementation of reparations and a universal basic income program for Rochester. The exploratory committee will review existing reparations pilots in other cities across the country to see how similar programs can be developed for Rochester.
“We currently have a unique opportunity here in Rochester,” said Mayor Warren. “With the legalization of marijuana, now is the time to see how we can utilize these new resources to right the historic wrongs that have plagued our community and our Black and Brown citizens for decades. Reparations literally means making amends for past wrongs, and with the help of our community leaders, that’s exactly what this committee will achieve.”
Representatives from faith, community and philanthropic organizations will serve as committee members. Organizations that had a representative present include Rochester City Council, Ibero-American Action League, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Action for a Better Community, Monroe County Legislature, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee and the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI).
Interested members of the media and public can view Mayor Warren’s remarks at
https://youtu.be/py2l2wSxMio or download the video file at https://cityofrochester.sharefile.com/d-sd1af02235aa342bea1537f20a15acc25
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