When Leola Rodgers was in high school, she had aspirations of becoming a legal secretary, but her guidance counselor told her she could do better. No one in Rodgers family or neighborhood had gone to college, so she didn’t think that was an option for her. With the help of her counselor, Rodgers received a scholarship to the University of …

First of many events organized to address impact of community violence

After being closed for two years, local grocery store reopens its doors

Billy McBride shares his story at Strathmore Speakers Series Billy McBride grew up in Public Housing at 110 Weiser Court in Pioneer Homes. He graduated from Central Technical High School in 1974 and went to Tennessee State University (TSU) where he played basketball and football. His basketball team went on to the final four in 1975. Upon graduating TSU with a …

Locally created calendars spotlight talent Herizon, a Syracuse rapper and model, has grown her movement of empowerment by showcasing children in unique calendars — just as she has been showcasing women. Since 2011, Herizon has given women the opportunity for their talents and accomplishments to be featured in a 12-month calendar called Upstate BossChicks. Now she is doing the same …

Board hires new managers, plans grand reopening The Eat To Live Food Cooperative is set to open its doors again, after being closed for two years due to financial overruns. Joseph Bryant, the president of the cooperative, said that during the two-year closed period the board made changes that would ensure that the store remains open. Last year at this time, the …

New managers hired, grand reopening planned The Eat To Live Food Cooperative announced in a public video April 7 it plans to reopen later this month and has appointed an interim general manager and assistant general manager to run the store, which has been closed since mid-December 2013. Jeremy DeChario will serve as the interim general manager and Brandi M. …

Common Council criticizes agency’s power to buy abandoned homes The Greater Syracuse Land Bank, the public agency designed to take over abandoned residential properties and turn them over to a nonprofit renovator, will acquire 600 homes this year and next. But now, four years after the agency began its work, some members of the city’s Common Council are criticizing the …

South Presbyterian Church could be getting closer to gaining new use One of Syracuse’s historic church buildings, once a bulwark in its South Side neighborhood, may be a step closer to being sold, renovated and put to a new use, city officials say. The Greater Syracuse Land Bank announced at its monthly meeting in February that it would contract with …

Syracuse city media students explore options for careers in daylong visit to Newhouse Twelve high school juniors in the Media Track at Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central spent a day at the Newhouse School last month to see whether they are Newhouse ready” and to get energized about a future in journalism. Professor Steve Davis, chair of the Department …