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A poem from the heart

Lynn McDonald is on a mission to help Syracuse youth appreciate the power of poetry On Sunday, Feb. 10, as a volunteer for the Syracuse Poster Project, a local organization that brings together artists and poets to help create posters around the city, and with the help of La Casita Cultural Center, McDonald brought her passion for the written phrase …

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Customers First

7 Styles Deli relies on community feedback to stay in business A distinction of the 7 Styles Convenience Store and Deli at 2030 S. Salina St. is that it is believed to be the only African-American owned convenience store in Syracuse, according to Khalid Bey, the Common Council member whose Fourth District incorporates much of the South Side. In 2013, …

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Providing a Vision

Mercy Works program offers students multiple opportunities Mercy Works, Inc., a non-profit organization based on the South Side, provides a plethora of programs to children, from computer literacy classes and internship placement to improving family relationships. Gina Rivers, the organization’s program director, said Mercy Works’ mission is to identify and meet the social needs of the community and to empower …

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Blacklites History

Emmanuel Atkins and Eddie Brown bring back memories of their legendary time together For this column, I thought it would be a good idea to write about a musical organization with some local history since this is Black History Month. I wanted to write about an organization that could take us back a few years but still have relevance today. …

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South Side Achiever

Student uses scholarship to pursue broadcast career When Jameel Rahim Shareef walks up to say hello you are immediately overcome with a sense of gentility, kindness and warmth. The Syracuse native who grew up living in Pioneer Homes (a part of Syracuse Housing Authority), has overcome challenges far and wide in order to make it where he is today: a …

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Strolling the South Side

New book shares stories of South Side women, uncovers broader picture of social injustices February is Black History Month — a time set aside to remember the significant contributions by people of the African Diaspora to America and the world. Yet, there are those who argue that black people have had little or no positive impact. As I reflect on …

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Two Eagle Wings Students Report on Community Celebration

On Jan. 26, The Stand held a journalism workshop led by Prof. Steve Davis where two middle school students attended to gain tips and guidance on covering an event — specifically the annual Martin Luther King Community Celebration. Leasia Thompson and Kevin Brunson dedicated their Saturday to putting their new journalism skills to the test by covering this event, conducing …

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New Signs Unveiled for Renamed Castle Street

Small ceremony held on MLK Day On Martin Luther King Day, the South Side’s Castle Street was renamed in his honor.  Castle Street residents will see their addresses change to Dr. Martin Luther King East and Dr. Martin Luther King West. Fourth District Councilor Khalid Bey sponsored the resolution in the Syracuse Common Council.

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Street Improvement Project Meeting Raises New Concerns

Attendees of public meeting feel pedestrian safety is being overlooked Passions ran high at a public meeting at the Southwest Community Center on the evening of Jan. 8. The meeting became contentious when local residents began piling up their anger and frustration on Paul Mercurio, transportation planner in the Department of Public Works (DPW) at Syracuse City Hall. The meeting, …

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Charter School Student Works to 'Stamp Out Bullying'

Thirteen-year-old Jaclyn Turner knows what it’s like to be bullied. An aspiring poet with a love for the band Rise Against, Turner wears her curly hair cropped short. She says she can’t grow it out because of an autoimmune disease, and used to wear wigs to cover it up. “I used to get bullied all the time,” Turner said.

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