The Stand

Syracuse welcomes The Mavericks, Kenny G, and The O’Jays and many others to the International Jazz Festival, June 26 – June 30. By Reggie SeiglerA Friendly Five Columnist Imagine creating a festival based on an early 20th Century African American art form and keeping it so fresh and relevant that 40 years later, the festival celebrating this century-old tradition is …

By Greta Stuckey Early in his life, Tyson Brown recognized his passion for working with his hands. His brother, Thomas Brown, always had a love of client services and working with people. Five years ago, they took the leap and founded TJ Construction and Remodeling LLC. Vision Originally from Utica, New York, the family moved to Syracuse 20 years ago …

By Laura S. Román López Lekia Hill came to Syracuse 11 years ago from her hometown of Yonkers, a city just on the fringe of New York City. The move and adjustment to Central New York was filled with many struggles, Hill said. She fell into poverty and had to overcome hardships to sustain herself and her kids. Despite this, …

Rachel Johnson found healing through a holistic approach. Now, she wants her community to have access to the same services. By Sarah Merke Rachel Johnson’s inner circle expected her to go to college. Johnson, though, wanted a choice, and the thought of college or nothing did not sit well with her.  During her senior year of high school, she entered …

By Greta Stuckey After Shaunna Spivey-Spinner gave birth to a son during the pandemic, the Syracuse native was ready for a change. Spivey-Spinner felt uncomfortable in their body and started looking for ways to get fit. Soon after, Spivey-Spinner decided to make fitness more than a hobby. In 2023, they made their dreams a reality by becoming a personal trainer …

By Laura S. Román López Eileen Baugh has always loved helping others with their business endeavors.  Having joined the United States Air Force in 1980, and then working in banking at Wells Fargo, Baugh received extensive training in administrative support.  In 1999, she took the plunge and began Admin-On-Call LLC, a resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners to receive …

By Greta Stuckey After a decade of working in cleaning and maintenance, Arteika Hunter decided that it was time to start her own business. She wanted to show her children that hard work could lead to new beginnings. In August 2022, she founded Clean & Glo Cleaning Services and never looked back.  Vision Hunter grew up on the South Side …

A local public charity has launched a nonprofit bridge loan program to help organizations as they wait for approved government grants.  By Laura Román López  More than half of the nonprofits in New York state experience delays in getting state funds for programs the state has already contracted for. The Central New York Community Foundation hopes its new nonprofit bridge-loan program, …

The South Side community met Monday to discuss crime and housing, with city leaders advocating for the passage of a state senate bill that would outlaw unwarranted evictions. By Laura Román López and Greta Stuckey City police warned residents at Monday’s Southside TNT meeting not to leave their cars running unattended, as tempting as that may be on a cold …

The Syracuse community gathered at La Casita Cultural Center on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of renowned artist Juan Cruz. By Laura Román López Mia Cruz-Worthy looked at the crowd at La Casita Cultural Center and marveled at the turnout for her father’s funeral, calling the assembled artists and art lovers “my dad’s chosen family.”  Juan Alberto Cruz died on …

By Jaden Wilson Bentley Bryant is an ASL-teaching, music-loving, Texas native who brings Syracuse’s deaf community together every Friday evening.   “Deaf Coffee” is a national deaf social event that dedicates itself to providing a safe space for deaf people to socialize. Bryant is the host and creator of Deaf Coffee in Syracuse, which meets at 6 p.m. Fridays at different …

A local nonprofit seeks to empower a new generation of readers through the Book Buddies program, which connects community volunteers, college students and young children through literacy activities in Syracuse schools.  By Laura Román López  Young children line up, lunches in hand, as they wait to be let into the classroom.  They crane their necks to get a better view, …