The Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS) Criminal Justice Task Force met March 20 at Grace Episcopal Church to review the status of youth solitary confinement in Syracuse. Attendees discussed the next steps in dealing with this rights’ violation, saying youth solitary confinement is one of the many injustices which contributes to mass criminalization. This Syracuse committee partners with Gamaliel, a …

Local band Brownskin excited to celebrate 10th anniversary The SAMMY Award-winning band Brownskin is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017, and bandleader Nathaniel “Nate” Brown is excited about the future. The band has been around since 2007. “Since then, like a lot of things, we have evolved,” Nate said. “Back then, an early working version of the band consisted of …

Artist displays her culturally distinctive pieces To help her tell a story, Vanessa Johnson holds up a hand-stitched quilt, showing it off before her audience of young children and their parents gathered in Beauchamp Branch Library one afternoon last month. Through its different colors and fabrics, she said, the quilt would help her with the story of the “South Side …

Local trombonist creates Unity Street Band If you close your eyes on any lazy Sunday afternoon while taking in the live performances of local and guest jazz musicians at Funk ‘N Waffles downtown, it’s not difficult to imagine yourself in New Orleans — even if only until a door opens and the bitter cold wind whips through your daydream of …

New food pantry offers healthy options every Thursday When the P.E.A.C.E. Inc, South Side Family Resource Center opened its new food pantry a month ago, emphasizing nutritious food, the longtime South Side institution drew one of its biggest crowds ever. Located on Dr. Martin Luther King West, the resource center has been a safe haven for many local residents by providing …

Group meets to share updates on five-year draft plan and mural projects

College students ensure others are fed as they recover leftover food from campus, restaurants

Michael Jones creates art in the form of fashion Q: What is the name of your fashion line?   A: Michael L. Jones Q: When did you begin fashion design and why? A: More than 30 years ago. I always had an interest in the art world. Theater, cartooning, architecture, painting and all facets of fashion and design. After I …

Student designers create a new logo, website template and more South Side residents partnered with a Syracuse University design workshop last month to complete a rebrand of the neighborhood in 48 hours. The logo and rebrand unveiling served as the culmination of Pixels & Print, an annual design workshop coordinated by the graphic design department of the S.I. Newhouse School …

Nominated by David L. Chaplin II Q: What did it feel like when you became a father? A: It was a mix of emotions. Happy, excited, enthused, nervous, scared, unsure, doubtful. We knew it was going to be a boy. With the first, we wanted to know. I was there for the birth, and I was strong. It was amazing …