Sisters for a Better Black Community, Inc. (SBBC) was founded in Rochester, NY by 7 young women (Arelia Smith Langhorne, Alice Evans, Jacqueline Hill, Betty Laster Benbow, Dinah Kidd, Ella Grady, and Eartha Smith) in the Fall 1971. It was born out of a weekly social fellowship of men and women who had recently came to Rochester for available jobs. The majority of this group worked at Eastman Kodak and knew very few people in the city. During this time period about 15,000 southern African Americans moved to northern cities for jobs. In Rochester, there was racial unrest in the area, especially the schools.
One of the young ladies, Arelia Smith, felt that there was room for serious community support. She and 6 others young ladies decided to organize so that they could effectively help where they saw a need. Arelia became its first president. During her tenure, SBBC grew in service and membership. The Sisters met in the members’ home; therefore, the number of members was limited to 25. SBBC adopted a constitution and by-laws shortly after its commitment to serve.
Its main goal to become involved in the community was establish in several areas:
- Support Youth
- Service to individuals and families in need
- Work with worthy groups to effect change.
Yearly SBBC sets an agenda to facilitate the goal and objectives as indicated in its constitution. In the last 43 years we have remain faithful to our founders’ ideals. We have served in the following areas:
Support Youth
- Awarded $300, 000 in scholarship to area graduation seniors
- Donated to Urban League Black Scholars Endowment Fund
- Supported the United Negro College drive
- Conducted on going Life Skill Workshops for pregnant teens and teen parents
- Participated with bookbags give-a-ways and “Back to School Jams”
- Planned Black History Book Giveaway and Reading Project.
Service to Individuals and Families
- Provide and assist with Christmas baskets for needy families
- Donated to Alternative for Battered Women
- Ongoing Thanksgiving Dinners for seniors
- Co-sponsored “The Reuniting of the Family Conference”
- Provided meals for the Ronald McDonald House
- Worked with Urban League families
Support local Organizations
- Scleroderma walk
- Salvation Army bell ringers
- Alternative for Battered Women Mile Walk Campaign
- Sponsor of Red Cross Blood drive
- Assisted with Clean Sweep Project
- Supported community Firefighter’s Smoke Detectors Drive
Fundraising
For the last 40 years, SBBC, Inc. has sponsored an annual Scholarship Fashion Show/Luncheon. This is our major fundraiser. Last year, we supported 12 students with $12,000 in scholarships. We are grateful to the Rochester Community for your wonderful support and encouragement with this luncheon, our Signature Project. We ask for your continued prayers and support of this event. This year the Annual Scholarship Fashion Show/Luncheon will be held at the Burgundy Basin Inn, 1361 Marsh Road- Pittsford, NY on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 12 noon. For more information on this function, please contact SBBC 585-251-1777; sbbcinc@gmail.com; SBBC, Inc., P.O. Box 30198, Rochester, NY 14603
Sisters for a Better Black Community, Inc.’s work in the Rochester area has been documented by the following groups:
- Urban League Service Award
- JC Penney Community Service Award
- Negro Women Annual Group Award
- Monroe County Service Award
- Key to the City of Rochester acknowledgment
SBBC, Inc. is always seeking new members from all segments of the Rochester community. We believe our work is important. The community needs as many hands that are willing to sacrifice their love and work for our great city. Together let us make it greater!
