Blueprint 15 presents its plan to redevelop the East Adams Neighborhood By Eddie Velazquez Syracuse community leaders and housing authorities gathered virtually Friday for Blueprint 15’s first informational forum of the year, discussing the “holistic revitalization” of the neighborhood adjacent to Interstate 81. Blueprint 15 — a non-profit organization partnered with the city of Syracuse, Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) and …

By Eddie Velazquez

Heritage Financial Partners launching new program to prepare students for the field By Kambui Bomani Heritage Financial Partners co-founder Vicki Brackens told an array of Zoom onlookers that she could count on one hand how many Blacks and Latinos were involved in the financial services industry. In the same breath, she uttered that the creation of financial businesses and firms …

Black Artist Collective holds event to highlight local talent By Kamal Morgan “The blueprint of these United States is in the scars on the backs of slaves,” poignantly performed by Syracuse alumna Kayla Skipper who recited her newest poem “Black Skin” during the Say It Loud! artist showcase organized by the Black Artist Collective (BAC) and live-streamed on Zoom and …

Leaders say removing federal ban can create ‘concrete pathways out of poverty’ for Syracuse residents By Michael Garcia Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Urban Jobs Task Force (UJTF) President Deka Dancil were joined today with six other leaders from across the nation to discuss the recently released Jobs to Move America report pushing the Biden Administration to overturn the ban …

By Violet Lazarus The Syracuse Economic Development Corporation awarded 39 small, local businesses with COVID-19 relief funds this week, eight of which went to businesses located on or near the South Side.  According to Mayor Ben Walsh, more than half the recipients of funding are minority-owned businesses and 22 are women- and/or minority-owned businesses. Dr. Julianne Malveaux, celebrated economist, fittingly …

By Violet Lazarus  Karsonya Wise Whitehead is an associate professor of communication and African and African American Studies at Loyola University, the founder and director of the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice, and affectionately known by her students as Dr. K.  Karsonya Wise Whitehead Dr. K spoke at Le Moyne College Feb. 17 as part of the …

Twenty-four games up and down the East Coast By Dominick Pfisterer The Syracuse Stallions are set to tip-off its third season in April. The Stallions compete in The Basketball League (TBL) — a minor professional league giving players an opportunity to further their basketball careers and allows cities an opportunity to house a professional team. The Stallions are coming off …

By Marnie Muñoz The novel coronavirus unraveled life, pushing countless into isolation and claiming the lives of others. Nevertheless, people and relationships adapted to this new normal. In this year’s “Couples in Love” series, two local couples share the lessons they learned during the 2020 pandemic, as well as over the life of their love.  A RELATIONSHIP RHYTHM Paula C. …

How one center works to serve the community during the pandemic LaDeena Curry wants to offer a safe, warm and inviting environment where someone can feel comfortable. “That’s what we are here for,” said Curry, who is the new coordinator for PEACE Inc.’s Emma L. Johnston Southside Family Resource Center.  Offering a range of traditional and COVID related services, Curry …