The Winter print issue features father Aundra Billue on the cover. He has three grown children with his wife, Twiggy. He believes being a father is a lifetime obligation. Inside also meet Rashawn Sullivan who launched the iApologize Foundation to encourage all to seek forgiveness. He started the effort during his apologetic journey to seek redemption from the family of …

Rashawn Sullivan is on a path to redemption after killing another South Side teen in 1997

Former Henninger star Ray Seals honored with Hall of Fame induction A star in Syracuse’s constellation of athletes, Ray Seals — a former defensive end in the National Football League — has won new recognition for his on-field achievements by being inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in October. “I’ll never forget when we were young,” said …

Mentor starts youth and family program after personal experiences Ed Mitchell Jr. is the founder/director of TEAM A.N.G.E.L. mentoring and youth development program. While growing up, Ed, fondly known as “Lil Ed,” was a regular participant in community-based programming focused on family. It was both supportive and life changing for him. The family community programming proved to be instrumental in …

Downtown library’s photography club meets monthly and is open to all interested teens Central Library hosts a monthly Teen Photography Club, which currently has three members: Dashawn Harry, Louis Gonzalez and Zacqueline Baldwin. Photos that the teens took during the group’s first meeting in October were inspired by quotes from “The Double Bind,” a book by Chris Bohjalian. The book …

Nominated by Twiggy Billue, his wife of 30 years Q: What did it feel like when you became a father? A: Because my wife had to have a C-section, I wasn’t able to experience the whole thing. I was in the waiting room. It was exciting but nerve-wracking because you don’t know if the baby is going to be all …

Candlelight vigil provides hope for people to overcome drug addictions Twenty-five people pressed themselves against the walls of a dimly lit storefront downtown, attending a vigil to mourn those who recently died from heroin and opioid overdoses. Ryan Barone, who works for the nonprofit ACR Health, set the mood — sad but still hopeful. “Right now, someone is picking up …

Center raising funds for a sustainable future

Syracuse nonprofit finishes second round of tiny homes

This month’s cover story spotlights local literacy pioneer Ruth Colvin who is set to celebrate a milestone birthday. During a Birthday of a Century — set for Nov. 18 – Colvin’s work for the past 55 years to increase adult literacy will be celebrated along with establishing an endowment in her name to keep her local legacy going. Money raised …