This free lecture series -- SOYL (Story of Your Life) Talks -- is for students, professionals and entrepreneurs. The Feb. 6 talk will feature We Rise Above the Streets, Underscore Ave., Cream the Collective and Clark Wayne Music.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed  by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

A Reading and Discussion Forum will be held Friday evenings through Feb. 7. Session will examine excerpts from Maya Angelou; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; W.E.B. DuBois, and more. There is no need to read ahead of time, just come with an open mind. Sessions will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cannon Street Community Center, 515 Cannon St., and are being offered by FORCE, Focusing Our Resources for Community Enlightenment. For more information, contact Brenda Muhammad at (315) 677-1664 or forcecny@aol.com.

This is a food-sampling event where you can purchase samples of dozens of home-made goodies with one thing in common: Chocolate. Choose from white, dark or milk chocolate in cookies, muffins, candies, breads and more. Samples are only $.50, or 22 samples for $10. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Lafayette Outreach (the local food pantry). For more information, call (315) 677-3293, email cpresbyt@twcny.rr.com or visit www.ColumbianPresbyterianChurch.com.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II will present the 2020 State of the County Address at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Storer Auditorium on the Onondaga County College campus, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike.

Celebrate Black History Month with  special guest readers during an African American Read-In. Event for children up to 12 years old, who must attend with an adult 18 years old or older. Will feature crafts, snacks and free book give away. RSVP by Feb. 13 to Connie Gregory at (315) 559-4795 or litforlifefamilies@gmail.com.

The NYCLU, Greater Syracuse HOPE and Urban Jobs Task Force will host a dinner event at the Dunbar Center Thursday, Feb. 20, as an homage to the 15th Ward in honor of Black History Month.  It will include a discussion with a number of community leaders with different perspectives. To learn more, contact David at DRufus@nyclu.org or (315) 471-2821.