Nominated by both Victoria Coit and his wife, Simangaliso Smith, for being a supportive father to a blended family Q: What did it feel like when you became a father? A: I always knew that I wanted to be a father. When my son was born, I felt in that moment like I had become a man. I knew that ... Read More »

‘Reviving Place’ puts residents’ visions of Onondaga Lake Watershed to canvas Read More »

Vice principal brings crisis plan to Dr. King Elementary School based on doctoral research *Editor’s Note: This online version has been updated from the print story to reflect ‘Salaam Jennings-Bey’ in second reference and clarify a ‘popular’ student seemed to be valued over others Quiet is the way Dr. Najah Salaam Jennings-Bey was described when she was taking her first ... Read More »

Teens revive student organization focused on social justice Once summer began, high-school students would naturally rejoice in the freedom that came with the end of classes and assignments. But for students of the Syracuse Student Union, the end of school meant a chance to organize, network and establish their group as a voice for all high-school students in the city ... Read More »

Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility celebrates anniversary, name change in style In a recent Saturday night, one of Syracuse’s longtime service organizations threw a party — inviting everyone from its board members to local residents — to celebrate a double benchmark, the organization’s birthday and its name change. As the music played in a crowded room, the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, ... Read More »

Upstate students spent their ‘Day of Service’ revamping three family bedrooms For years, local medical students have honored the memories of men and women who died in the Twin Towers terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, by engaging in a special “Day of Service” to Syracuse. The solemn 15th anniversary last month prompted students from State University of New York ... Read More »

Workshop inspires students to communicate through creative writing One by one, students in a group pondered a question a volunteer put to them: What do you want your career to be? One girl wanted to be a teacher; another student wanted to be a writer. Finally, the last student at the table asked someone to beat a drum roll on ... Read More »

Meet two men who are breaking stereotypes while making their dreams come true In times of violence and crime, two talented black men stand out in our community as role models who are breaking stereotypes. Tyrone Jackson and Shamroc Dancil have made their vision of filmmaking come true, and they are inspiring others. Tyrone “Tizak” Jackson Jackson is CEO of ... Read More »

October’s cover highlights the research of Dr. Najah Salaam Jennings-Bey on how students think their schools should respond to the aftereffects of urban violence. You can also read about the kickoff for the annual Writing Our Lives workshop, see how Upstate Medical University students helped to improve the community and learn how district high school students are coming together to ... Read More »

George Lynch strives to share career advice that he didn’t have growing up George Lynch has been teaching cursive writing to youth at the Southwest Community Center, training them to write the big, loopy letters normally associated with birthday cards from grandparents. Many kids no longer are taught this art, and Lynch feels that’s a big problem. “I was telling ... Read More »