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City Court judge Vanessa E. Bogan addressed a room of girls during an Empowering Girls at the Roundtable event on a spring Saturday in the newly renovated Community Café, 1555 S. Salina St.

Bill Simmons, executive director of Syracuse Housing Authority, served as the special guest during a joint meeting of the Syracuse United Neighbors Southside Coalition and Southwest Action Council on Tuesday, May 9. He spoke about SHA’s own comprehensive plan in preparation for future work on the elevated portion of I-81. While the New York State Department of Transportation works to …

Superintendent aims to keep students in school, raise graduation rates In the past three years, the Syracuse City School District has added three new schools, a districtwide discipline overhaul and, most recently, a graduation rate that has exceeded 60 percent — a rate not seen in almost nine years. While some would see these as areas of success, superintendent Jaime …

Brighton Bakery, Brighton Discount Liquor officially open in new location For the past 90 years, Brighton Bakery has been a Syracuse staple, with its baked goods and proximity to local businesses. After nearly a century of the bakery operating out of the same location — 335 E. Brighton Ave. — the shop recently moved about a mile up the street …

Panelists explain their viewpoints on options for changes to highway Any question about how deeply South Side residents are interested in the future of Interstate 81 ought to have been laid to rest in April when a crowd of residents met with state and local officials offering an update over what to do with the aging roadway. “We’re here tonight …

Newhouse master’s student explains passion for South Side Collective Six students who make up the South Side Collective — a new photography class that provides children with tools to communicate visually — are creating something that is all about them: their lives, likes and interests. And every week they are excited to share those images with one another. “What do …

A number of events have been held this spring to unite and develop action plans for citywide improvement. Upstate Medical University held its Presidential Symposium at the end of March to examine key issues, including the local heroin/opioid epidemic, community violence and refugee health. The session on violence featured a panel of medical professionals, along with Larry Williams, who runs …

After many life battles, Damon Gilstrap defies all odds On his first date with the woman who would become his fiancé, Damon Gilstrap detailed his entire past — the group homes, the drugs, the violence, being homeless and time incarcerated. He was completely transparent. “I didn’t know if he was trying to run me away or what,” said Angela Wilson, …

In this summer issue, meet a father who works overnight to provide for his four children, a man who has remarkably recovered from a stroke, a judge who serves as a role model for young girls and many more. Another collection of stories will likely interest our readers — the soon-to-be published project #TheyWearBlue by reporting and multimedia students at …

The Literacy Empowers All People (LEAP) program is a summer enrichment program for students who have finished second grade but not yet started third grade. LEAP will start July 5 and run through Aug. 4. The program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at Great Grace Church, 410 Oswego St. Classes are small. Each teacher works …