LOCAL PARTNERS
MAYOR MALIK EVANS
Malik D. Evans is the City of Rochester’s 71st Mayor. He is committed to creating a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.
Inaugurated on Jan. 1, 2022, Mayor Evans has governed with a commitment to transparency and collaboration, concisely captured by his working mantra “It’s we, not me.”
Working closely with governmental agencies and community partners, he established the Office of Financial Empowerment to support the economic mobility of city residents with a focus on entrepreneurship, home ownership and youth; the Office of Violence Prevention to confront the root causes of violent crime; expanded programs that foster the healthy development of Rochester’s youth; overseen several transformative capital programs, including ROC the Riverway and the Inner Loop North Transformation; and invested in projects and initiatives that advance the wellbeing of all residents in such areas as mental health, environmental justice, job creation, affordable housing and home ownership, especially in neighborhoods with histories of disinvestment.
Mayor Evans held elected office as an at-large member of the Rochester City Council from 2017 to 2021; was a Commissioner of the Rochester Board of Education from 2003 to 2017, and served as Board President from 2008 to 2013.
Before becoming Mayor, Mayor Evans worked as an officer in the banking industry for more than 20 years, holding leadership positions at M&T Bank Corporation and ESL Federal Credit Union. The son of parents who were committed to civic activism, civil rights, and social justice, his dual callings in elected office and the banking industry share the complementary ambitions to help others and share prosperity.
He was born and raised in the city and graduated from Wilson Magnet High School before going on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester and his master’s degree from Nazareth College (now Nazareth University)
Mayor Evans is active on several national and state organizations representing the interests of U.S. cities. He is the board chair of the National Civic League; and a member of U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the African American Mayors Association, the Strong Cities Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Cities, the Mayors Institute for City Design; and the New York Conference of Mayors.
Mayor Evans and his wife Shawanda are the proud parents of two sons. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending concerts, and traveling to new places.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADAM BELLO
“On National Day of Prayer – our community comes together in a powerful spirit of faith and unity -- bringing hope, healing and strength to our County.
We invite everyone to join us as we lift up our youth, those impacted by violence and poverty, our law enforcement, our servicemen and women, our elected leaders and all who need encouragement. Together, through the power of prayer, we can be a source of light and lasting change.”
Upon taking office as County Executive in 2020, Bello and his new administration immediately faced the COVID pandemic and its many challenges that are still being dealt with today. Under his leadership, Bello oversaw the distribution of millions of COVID tests and pieces of personal protective equipment to contain the virus, while deploying mass vaccination sites for hundreds of thousands of residents. He also took a leadership role in keeping our schools open with proper safety protocols in place.
Bello helped support small businesses that struggled through the pandemic by providing much needed relief in the form of grants and loans. With healthcare system leaders, he convened a community effort to ensure stabilization of local hospitals through multiple restrictions and healthcare worker shortages.
Bello also made good on his promise to address the opioid epidemic by appointing the county’s first Director of Addiction Services, and launching the eight-member program known as the Monroe County Improving Addiction Coordination Team, or IMPACT. The team has already responded to hundreds of calls for help, connecting people suffering from addiction with life-saving resources.
Now, Bello is looking to lead Monroe County past the pandemic and into recovery – focusing on public safety, public health, economic development and infrastructure.
BISHOP DAVID J. SINGLETON
Dr. David J. Singleton has retired as a professional firefighter from the City of Rochester after 22 years of honorable service. What a blessing that has been. Having served in fire suppression, Community Relations, and Education, where he coordinated the Firefighter Trainee Program and started a scholarship fund at the Monroe Community College Foundation for graduates of the Firefighter Trainee Program. Bishop Singleton has obtained various awards and plaques for outstanding service and is a Chaplin of the Rochester Fire Department.
Areas of which Dr. Singleton presently serves:
Senior Pastor of Ark of Jesus Ministries
President/CEO of Celebration of Life Community, Inc
On the Board of Directors for RCTBS and the Unified Mission
On the Board of Rochester Center of Theological and Biblical Studies
Advisory Board of Unified Mission of Rochester, Inc.
Chaplin for the Rochester Fire Department
Founder of Kingdom Assignment Ministries International
Community Advisory Board member for St. Mary’s/DePaul
Member of the American Cancer Society Lakes Region Board of Advisors
Founding member of the Northwest Rotary
Professor of Hermeneutics, Missiology and Christian Education.
