Leadership Rochester inspires, connects and educates a vibrant, diverse network of individuals who can help transform and strengthen our Greater Rochester Region. Founded by Rochester’s top leaders, Leadership Rochester’s programs bring together individuals across industries, geographies and backgrounds. Together they learn about issues facing the community and explore ways that we can strengthen their own organizations and our region. Leadership Rochester has more than 1,100 alumni across the Greater Rochester Region. Learn more at www.LeadershipRochester.org
Spotlight on: Natasha House
Title: Assistant Director of Diversity Initiatives – Career Services
Employer: Rochester Institute of Technology
Leadership Rochester Class of: 2023
Where are you from originally? Rochester
Where do you call home today? Rochester
What makes you proud to be a Rochesterian?
I am proud of the rich culture, history and myriad Black History fun facts that make up the tapestry of my city. I love memories of the Monorail at Christmastime while growing up as a kid. I love the Frederick Douglass Susan B Anthony Memorial Bridge. I love the fact that we’re the home of world-renowned Garth Fagan and the hub of amazing dance, theater and the arts! I love that higher education here is paramount and students travel from miles around just to attend schools like RIT, UR and Hochstein to name a few. I love that Charles Finney sparked revival here. Wegmans was born here and our Jazz Festival is second to none. Beautiful parks, riverway trails and unique landscapes are breathtaking across all seasons. I love to smell the fragrant lilacs for which our city is known and since I was born in May, I like to think that perhaps our famous Lilac Festival is just a big party in honor of … ME!
Envision our community at its very best. What does a thriving community look like to you?
I often fantasize about the reawakening of a Black Wall Street that I know could potentially happen here! For some reason, business owners tend to be in silos and if only we could learn to pool our resources, we could return to the metropolis or industrial hub that we once were in the days of Kodak, Xerox and Bausch & Lomb. We can accomplish so much more if we work together and my dream is that we have a thriving mega center where salons, barbers, grocers, and businesses are operated by Black and Brown executives. Rochester has been on the map nationally for high crime as well as poverty in urban areas, but my vision is that we pool our resources to take advantage of wealth from an Ujamaa perspective to turn things around! The Kwanzaa principle of cooperative economics says that we can build wealth and maintain businesses by profiting from them when we work together. This would combat the social and financial disparities which plague this region. This is my personal fantasy for Rochester because when we pool our resources, we have all the talent and expertise we need here to thrive!
How do you help strengthen our community?
Here in this city, we have experienced lots of trauma collectively. Together we watched and experienced the murder of Daniel Prude. Many disturbing and unnecessary homicides have claimed the lives of innocent young people. So many cars have been jacked, stolen, damaged, crashed or demolished. Crimes and murders, too many to count. Now, I may not be able to change these daunting occurrences. What I can do is focus on what I do have the power to change! My relationship with God and involvement in my local church is how I stay centered spiritually. I’m often found ministering in dance to bring a sense of hope and healing; or sometimes providing meals to those in need or simply offering words of encouragement to someone who may be down. My goal is to ensure that spaces are better when I leave, that my presence is felt and that even on my job, I go the extra mile to make others feel supported.
What causes, issues, or organizations do actively support?
I am an active, financial member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. I am a proud member of MOBB United (MOBB = Moms Of Black Boys), which seeks to support moms of Black sons, promote positive images of Black boys and men as well as change laws that impact the way Black boys and men are treated in society. I am a devout member of Glory House International (Pastors Melvin and Ashley Cross), where I worship and volunteer my time with other like-minded believers.
What was the most important thing you learned during Leadership Rochester?
Giving a homeless person a plate of undesired food is not the true definition of benevolence! I realized that doing this had previously been my personal way to check the box of “good deeds” done for the day. What our homeless community needs is a new lease on life so that their life changes for the better; they need to be seen as human beings who don’t want to be in that position; they need to be heard and for their humanity to be validated. A plate of food thrown in their face without even asking them what food they enjoy could be received as insensitive and not at all helpful … despite the best of intentions.
What’s one hidden gem you wish more people knew about in our community?
I wish more people knew about RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship. Located in the heart of downtown, minutes from the Liberty Pole, they help small (low to no tech) business owners develop and launch their business ideas! Their goal is to reshape the economy of this region while providing legal assistance, business plan strategy and credit counseling as a means of support for entrepreneurial programs.
SPOT Cowork is a great space for conference rooms or meetings. Any person looking to work in a comfortable, modern, office environment can use this space for a minimal fee. This business has three locations in Rochester where you can sit in a private conference room, conduct your meeting in one of their board rooms or you can even host a business event.
My favorite fun hidden gem isn’t really hidden because so many Rochesterians know the best place to watch the sunset is Cobbs Hill Park.
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