History
SBBC Inc
SBBC achieves its goal of becoming involved in the community in the areas of support to youth, service to individuals and families in need and support and collaboration with other organizations to effect change. We are committed to supporting the education of our youth and providing ongoing service to the community as a whole.
Yearly, SBBC sets agenda to facilitate the goal and objectives as indicated in its constitution. In the last 53 years we have remain faithful to our founders' ideals. We have supported and have received awards in the following areas:
Support to Youth
- Awarded over $420,000 in scholarship to area graduating seniors
- Donated to Urban League Black Scholars Endowment Fund
- Supported the United Negro College Drive
- Conducted ongoing Life Skill Workshops for pregnant and teen parents
- Participated with book bags give-a-ways and "Back to School Jams"
- Planned Black History Book Giveaway and Reading Project
Support Local Organizations
Service to Individuals and Families
- Scleroderma walk
- Salvation Army Bell Ringers
- ABW Mile Walk Campaign
- Sponsor of Red Cross Blood Drive
- Assisted With Clean Sweep Project
- Community Firefighter's Smoke Detectors Drive Jericho
- Habitat for Humanity Project
- Alzheimer"s Walkathon
- JC Penney Coat Give-A -Away
- Salvation Army Christmas Toy and Food Give-Away
- Project Homeless Connect Rochester Service Event
Service to Individuals and Families
Service to Individuals and Families
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
Community Service Awards/Endowment
Service to Individuals and Families
Community Service Awards/Endowment
- Urban League Service Award
- JC Penney Community Service Award
- Negro Women Annual Group Award
- Monroe County Service Award
- Key to the City of Rochester Acknowledgement
- Kodak Youth Community Fund
- Urenholdt Heritage Scholarship
Scholarship Awards
Service to Individuals and Families
Community Service Awards/Endowment
In the last 53 years, annually SBBC, Inc. has sponsored a Scholarship Fashion Show/Luncheon and Virtual fundraising event. Last year, we supported 15 students with $18,000 in scholarships. To-date we have given over $420,000 in scholarship awards to deserving high school seniors in the Rochester Area.
Sisters Helping Others
Rochester Community Partners
Rochester Community Partners
Rochester Community Partners
Rochester Community Partners
Rochester Community Partners
Community Donations
Rochester Community Partners
Community Donations
SBBC Founders
The Beginning
In the early 70’s, about 15,000 southern African Americans moved to northern cities for jobs. Some settled in Rochester New York where many found jobs at Eastman Kodak. During this time period in Rochester, there was racial unrest especially within the schools. Since these new arrivals to Rochester knew very few people, a group of Kodak workers bonded together and formed a weekly social fellowship of men and women. One of the young ladies in the group, Arelia Smith, felt that there was a need for serious community support. So she and 6 others young ladies decided to organize a group to address their concerns. This group, Sisters For A Better Black Community (SBBC) was founded in Rochester, New York by these 7 women in the fall of 1971. SBBC’s mission was to promote a better relationship among the Black community of Rochester and its surrounding areas. Arelia became its 1st president. During her tenure, SBBC grew in service, membership and adopted a constitution and by-laws. This group was later incorporated as Sisters for a Better Black Community, Inc., (SBBC, Inc.).