Cozy-up and enjoy not-too-scary stories and a Halloween craft. Children may wear their Halloween costumes or pajamas and join in the creepy fun. Ms. Laura will have her Halloween PJ’s on too. For all ages.

The second annual Minority Business & Economic Empowerment Summit will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21. Speakers will include Jorge Villar, Jennifer Parker, Dennis Kimbro and Calvin Corriders. To learn more, call (315) 469-1106 or (315) 470-1875.

Working on your college applications? Putting off those dreaded college essays? This workshop on the college essay process will help, whether you’ve already written drafts of your college essays or are just beginning to think about them. Molly Voorheis, an instructor in the Syracuse University Writing Program since 1983, has led college essay workshops at several high schools in Syracuse. Open to all interested students. Registration required. Call the library at (315) 435-3636.

Lanika Mabrey, PrEP coordinator at the Onondaga County Health Department, will join a group of community health educators addressing AIDS, HIV and STDs during a public health lecture hosted at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 by 100 Black Men of Syracuse and Black Nurses Rock of Syracuse. Also speaking are Karen Loftin and Joshua King of the “HIV Stops With Me” campaign. The 90-minute event, the first in a new round of monthly public health discussions sponsored by the two organizations, will be held at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St. in Syracuse. Previously, the 100 and Black Nurses Rock hosted a series of seven public health lectures through the first half of 2017. Admission is free, and no advance registration is required for all lectures. The current series, which will cover a variety of health topics, is held the fourth Monday of each month through May 2018 at the South Side Innovation Center. For more information about the series, email Charles Anderson, chairman of the 100’s health and wellness committee at charlesanderson5@mac.com or call him at (315) 200-7847.

KidSpace will have spooky storytelling just in time for Halloween. All ages welcome, no registration required. This program will meet at Central’s second-floor KidSpace.

Join the Dunbar Association Board as they usher in a new century of service to the community with the presentation of its new executive director along with a celebration honoring the legacy of the Dunbar Association into its centennial year and beyond. Proceeds will benefit the community center.

The Coffee & Conversation group will gather at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Southside Interfaith CDC, 500 W. Newell St. The group brings the hot coffee and attendees bring the hot topics.

This is fun-filled night of games, crafts, food and activities for the entire family held at Beauchamp Branch Library. Come in costume if you’d like. For all ages.

The NAACP Syracuse/ Onondaga County Chapter will host its October General Membership meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Marriott/Syracuse Hotel located at 100 E. Onondaga St.
Join others for a discussion with Ms. Barrier Gewanter, executive director of the Onondaga County/Syracuse Commission on Human Rights, and Ms. Raynette Releford, the new administrator of Syracuse’s Citizen’s Review Board, as both present information from their respective offices. For more information about the Human Rights Commission, call (315) 435-3565, and for the Citizen Review Board, call (315) 448-8750.

The public is invited to attend a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26,  at Franklin Square Park, 101 Solar St. The vigil is in remembrance of those who died of drug overdoses in 2016.  Many of these accidental deaths were the result of mixing prescription pills with alcohol, heroin or other drugs. The Syracuse vigil, sponsored by ACR Health, is one of hundreds being held across the country with the assistance of the national NOPE Task Force, Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education. The candlelight vigils strive to raise awareness and open the doors to recovery by eliminating prejudice toward injection drug users.