Two sisters start their own salon with inspiration from their mother African-American sisters Samantha Coleman and Sakari McDonald have been changing the face of salon ownership since May when they opened up their salon, Pretty Girl Threadz. Salons capable of styling African-American hair can typically be found on Syracuse’s South Side, where a large part of the city’s black population …

Former inmate Rashawn Sullivan teaches others how to avoid same fate Since being released from the Cayuga Correctional Facility in 2015, Syracuse South Sider Rashawn Sullivan has emerged as a powerful role model to both the youth and the adults of his community. “Street life is addicting,” Sullivan said, in a recent interview. “I’m now someone who goes into the …

Syracuse deputy mayor talks of diversification and revitalization

Community reacts to Sunday night’s violence While the community reels as facts continue to come to light, one sentiment is widely felt: what we’ve been doing is not working. Change is needed. Speaking to various community leaders and residents, The Stand sought to see how residents can best process recent events. When gunfire broke out after 11 p.m. Sunday at an annual …

With the help of a community group, a veteran will gain a home Ted Bauer, 59-year-old Army veteran, has no permanent home to call his own. He lacks a place to return to each night, put his feet up and rest in comfort. But that’s not what his friends say defines him. Nor, he said, does he let it stop …

Literacy lessons are still part of life for mother of six in Syracuse who never gave up on her education   A young black girl in Ellabell, Georgia, wanted to learn. It was the 1960s, and the Supreme Court had declared in the mid-1950s that separate was not equal. She was bused from her tiny town, not far from Savannah, …

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In our November issue, our cover story is on the recent Cardboard Challenge held at Beauchamp Branch Library where youth got to use their imaginations to turn the library into a cardboard arcade. Another feature article looks at the South Side’s unique Harlow Park founded by Carmen Harlow as an athletic space to honor athletes and youth. Also featured is …

Anthony Williams bought his first conga drum 44 years ago, paying all of $5 for it. At the time, he wanted the drum because he saw the way girls flocked to his brother, who played in a band. Williams, now 62, has been playing ever since. On Syracuse’s South Side, he has played with dozens of drummers in many groups. …

After-school program teaches karate, other ways to solve conflicts through nonviolence To help children deal with bullies, a Roman Catholic elementary school has teamed up with a karate school to offer a weekly program for young boys and girls. The Tuesday afternoon program — called “bully-busting” — is hosted by Most Holy Rosary School, at 1031 Bellevue Ave., in collaboration …