The Constitution/Urban CNY News online edition

Transformative energy: Helen Hudson, Paul Nojaim among honorees at Alliance of Communities’ spring banquet Posted on 05/06/13
Central New York boasts a rich history of social activism, and the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS) keeps that tradition alive today. More than 300 ACTS members, honorees and... More

Syracuse Chiefs pay homage; new movie recalls the man who broke baseball's color line Posted on 04/23/13
For the tenth year in a row, professional baseball officially celebrates Jackie Robinson Day again on April 15, and the hometown Syracuse Chiefs invited kids ages 6 to 12 to attend that evening’s... More

South West Community Center's Jessie Dowdell: Urban Legend Posted on 04/23/13
After 26 years at the helm of the Southwest Community Center (SWCC), Jesse Dowdell is stepping down at the end of April. “We’re ready for change,” he observes, maintaining that the services provided... More

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In His Own Words…. Posted on 01/25/13
A nation that continues to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” - "Beyond Vietnam" 4 April 1967 “The curse of poverty has no... More

Last run with the Baby Boomers Posted on 12/30/12
Julius “Pops” Anderson began his last run with the Baby Boomers {over 40} Basketball League November 25 as the ten team conference kicked off its 16th season at SouthWest Community Center. “It was a... More

Gordon Cuffy really wants to be a Judge Posted on 12/30/12
Born and brought up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Gordon Cuffy came to Syracuse at 18 to attend Syracuse University. He met his wife at SU and upon graduation went back to New York to go to... More

Good Will Transportation: “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way” Turning Misfortune into Opportunity Posted on 10/03/12
Goodwill Transportation, Inc. is a service not unlike any medical transportation or courier you may encounter on the road. The difference is Good Will Transportation is one of many businesses... More

Building Neighborhoods, Growing Dreams: Syracuse Housing Authority builds 50 new homes for Affordable Housing Opportunities Posted on 09/03/12
Syracuse Housing Authority has embarked on a new initiative that has provided in-fill housing using Tax Credits as a developmental tool. Clusters of new homes have risen in the shadow of the Midland... More

Saying Yes to Opportunity Posted on 09/03/12
In the years that have passed since the announcement was made, “students who are enrolled in the Syracuse City School District may be eligible for free college tuition,” there was a sigh and then... More

The Price Feels Rite: A q&a with Time of Jubilee’s Walter Dixie on the quest for a Southside supermarket Posted on 09/03/12
For three years Walter Dixie has been leading the charge to bring a supermarket to the Southside. At a springtime field trip on that quest, SouthWest Community Center director Jesse Dowdell reflected... More

Q&A with District Attorney William Fitzpatrick: DA sees community reluctant to be outraged by gang violence Posted on 06/22/12
At the sentencing of Saquan Evans for the murder of 20-month old Rashaad Walker, Jr. in a gang related incident, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick noted an irony in community response to crime... More

Hopes for the Citizens Review Board Posted on 06/22/12
Crystal Collette has a full time job as Education and Outreach Manager at Planned Parenthood. But she knows now that incredible amounts of time will be needed for her new role as Chair of the Board... More

Burgers on the Creek Walk? Posted on 06/22/12
For Glen Lewis, a successful idea has many parents. Lewis, according to Andy Maxwell, is the Planning Guru of the city’s Parks Department. Maxwell oversees the municipal Bureau of Planning and... More

Hail to the new Chiefs chief: Q&A with Syracuse Chiefs new manager Tony Beasley Posted on 02/25/12
On his first day in town, Syracuse Chiefs new manager Tony Beasley sat for an early morning chat about the state of baseball, especially the local minor league brand. He grew up watching his dad and... More

A need for Great Expectations Posted on 01/07/12
Samadee became a school teacher quite by accident. With the opportunity that attracted him to town eliminated the day before he arrived from New York City, he took the advice of a friend and walked... More

Occupy protestors could spring American Autumn: Is Van Jones, The Next Jessie Jackson? Posted on 11/30/11
As deadline loomed for this column, cities across the nation hunkered down in anticipation of massive reactions to the New York City police department’s 1 a.m. November 15 eviction of the two-month... More

Baby Boomers Ballin’ Posted on 11/30/11
Sunday. Not quite noon at the SouthWest Community Center. In the gym early arrivals in street clothes shootin’ and schmoozin’. “All right, all right, all right,” booms a veteran of the scene,... More

Can Republicans connect to the Communities of Color? Posted on 10/10/11
Congressperson Ann Marie Buerkle stood in the main room of the Wilson Park Community Center, surrounded by almost 50 youth, mostly 12 and under. It was a hot July afternoon and she had a plane to... More

The choice between Hawkins and Bey is more than just a focus on global or local Posted on 09/30/11
Asked to sit together with a tape recorder for a campaign conversation, the 4th District candidates for the Syracuse Common Council—Democrat Khalid Bey, running with the Working Families endorsement,... More

Lady with a mouth and a heart Posted on 08/10/11
Helen Hudson celebrates a decade of Mothers Against Gun Violence President and co-founder of Mothers Against Gun Violence, Helen Hudson has always been one to fight for the underdog. “I’ve always... More

City Scuffle: District Attorney William Fitzpatrick – urban cny Q & A Posted on 07/13/11
William Fitzpatrick hasn’t been District Attorney forever, it just seems that way. It’s only been 20 years, although he has announced he will run for a sixth term, once again unopposed, as he was in... More

Juneteenth returns to Syracuse Posted on 06/15/11
Juneteenth is an African-American festival celebrating the freedom, history, and culture of African Americans. It is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Juneteenth, is... More

Sanctified Materialism: When Your Church Wants More Stuff Posted on 04/26/11
Your church wants stuff. All kinds of stuff. Maybe you want a new building. Better carpet. Plush, padded, interlocking chairs. New microphones. A faster computer for your media. Remodeled bathrooms.... More

The Urban CNY Interview: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle Posted on 04/26/11
Ann Marie Buerkle had hardly settled into the Congressperson’s chair in the corner of the Federal Building office with a panoramic view, when folks started lining up to announce their consideration... More

Mayor Appoints New Commissioner of Parks Recreation and Youth: Meet Mr. Baye Muhammad Posted on 03/25/11
Mayor Stephanie Miner has appointed Baye pronounced (bey-yeh)Muhammad, 38, as Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs, effective Jan. 18, 2011 “I am thrilled to... More

Police Choices Made Where Shots Fired Posted on 03/25/11
The folks gathered in the Common Council Chambers for an early evening meeting of the Public Safety Committee to hear the results of two studies commissioned to determine if city police practiced... More

Emotional day as community, police calls for help on South Side Posted on 12/23/10
At a Saturday Nov. 13 gathering at the Mary Nelson Youth Center, many of the roughly 150 people in attendance took the opportunity to vent frustrations. “Hopefully this will be a step in moving... More

Big bucks for Juan Williams, Fox News rewards racism Posted on 12/23/10
Fox News makes a massive profit from fueling the fire of racial hate in America NPR made a strong and resounding move when “journalist” Juan Williams decided to make discriminatory comments about... More

Cameras in the Courtyard Posted on 12/17/10
Significant debate preceded the State Legislature’s decision to conduct a ten-year experiment with cameras in courtrooms. The purpose agreed upon at the time of passage was creating a means of... More

The race card misplayed on DeFrancisco Posted on 10/05/10
The clown show in Albany took a less than humorous turn during a hearing in the state Senate chamber reviewing the nomination of Mark O'Luck, a person of color, to the New York State Power... More

Fowler 6 Months In...We Sit Down for a mid-year review with Syracuse Chief of Police Frank Fowler Posted on 08/01/10
Peace-maker: Chief would reach out After six months on the job, Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler took time to reflect on his performance, giving himself a report card on dealing... More

Ida Benderson Senior Center “A Warm Comfortable Place to Be” Posted on 06/07/10
"Ida Benderson Center Customer Jimmy Bowman" At the reception desk you’re greeted by “Martha” who works in a program called Experience Works, which targets people over 60 wanting to... More

$150 And A Dream: Branch's Driving School Celebrates 47 years serving Central New York Posted on 05/16/10
Founder started with $150 and mom as his first student Branch’s Driving School began April 24th 1963 according to company president Deraux Branch, “My father started with $150 one car and... More

Art’s in Bloom this Spring: OCC's Arts Across Campus, Community Folk Art Center and more! Posted on 04/03/10
This spring, despite threats of budget cuts, the arts community is rolling out new exhibitions for the spring season. Beauchamp Branch of the Onondaga Public Library; Arts Across Campus at... More

Lucky 13: Alliance Network hosts annual celebration Posted on 03/11/10
Duane B. Owens and his wife Tara Buchanan Owens at the Alliance Network awards ceremony at the top of the Marriott Hotel on Genesee Street in Syracuse. Duane received the Clarence “Junie” Dunham... More

To Protect and Serve: A conversation with the newly appointed Police Chief Frank Fowler Posted on 02/01/10
I sat down with newly appointed Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler to discuss his new position and get an opportunity to introduce the community to a man who has been described as “down to earth” and... More

Marjory Wilkins named Peacemaker Posted on 01/06/10
Community Choir honor at Winter Solstice concert Marjory W. Wilkins received the Syracuse Community Choir’s Peacemaker Award last Saturday. Pictured here with Jackie Warren-Moore, who delivered... More

Got Milk? Eggs, bananas, cheese, fresh meat or corn meal... Posted on 12/08/09
For decades residents of lower income, African-American neighborhoods have struggled with the disappearance the full service grocery stores. In most Syracuse neighborhoods, a trip to the grocery... More

Delta Sigma Theta, 100 Black Men, and Vera House Partner in the Fight Against Domestic Violence Posted on 11/11/09
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence reportedly affects approximately 25% of women and 7.6% of men in the United States. On Saturday, October 17th,... More

Miner wins mayor's race makes history as first woman to hold post - Partial Election Results listed below : Posted on 11/03/09
After a hard fought campaign against Republican Steve Kimatian and Conservative Otis Jennings, Stephanie Miner makes Syracuse history by becoming the first woman elected to the Mayor's... More

Six Questions with the Future of Syracuse in Mind Posted on 10/27/09
I originally compiled a list of questions that I would ask the mayoral candidates if I ever got the opportunity to moderate a debate. I never would have imagined that I would receive responses from... More

Growing Your Business in the 21st Century: DASNY of the Future Posted on 10/05/09
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) is hosting its 24th annual Minority and Women Business Enterprises Conference on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, 2009 in Albany, New... More

“It’s Our Time” Otis Jennings Takes Aim at the Mayors Office Posted on 08/15/09
Otis Jennings wants to become the next Mayor of Syracuse. He received the Republican Party’s nomination; however he’s being challenged in a primary by former Clear Channel executive Stephen... More

First and Only Female African Attorney in Syracuse Posted on 07/27/09
Rosemary O. Nwawka Why she’s in the news: Ms. Nwawka, Esq. is the first Nigerian attorney to be practicing law in our community. She specializes in family law and in bringing families... More

Gone Too Soon Posted on 06/25/09
Any African-American who’s at least 50 years old who were there in the beginning remember the Jackson 5 and their lead singer Michael. As a kid “Stop the Love You Save”, “I want you back” and... More

A Message to the Residents of Syracuse Posted on 06/17/09
Fellow Syracuse residents, we are living in momentous times. It is a time filled with economic uncertainty, but packed with possibilities. It is the possibilities that have propelled me to seek the... More

Breaking the barrier: Common Council President candidate Van Robinson says it’s when, not if on the tearing down of Route 81 Posted on 05/08/09
Before any or the current announced mayoral contend¬ers declared their intentions for this fall’s race, Van Rob¬inson’s name had been prominently mentioned. Then he generally deferred those... More

President Barack Obama's inaugural speech Posted on 01/21/09
President Barack Obama's inaugural speech Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president January 20th 2009. This is a... More

President Elect, Barack Obama’s Inauguration Week Schedule of Events Posted on 01/14/09
Below are the major events for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. They extend from Saturday, Jan. 17, to the day after Inauguration Day, Wednesday, Jan.... More

TWAS THE NIGHTMARE AFTER CHRISTMAS: HOLIDAY DEBT Posted on 12/09/08
Did you know it takes the average consumer a little over two years to pay off debt that they incurred during the Christmas holiday? And that is just Christmas debt. What about the bills you had... More

E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, "the One" Posted on 11/12/08
In recent times, I had come to believe the concept of diversity had been destroyed, distorted beyond recognition of its original state. If accepted as true what many have stated, you would... More

History Made with Obama’s Speech - an open letter to the community Posted on 09/10/08
Peace, First, please forgive me for being wordy here, but I got to get this out of my system! As you all may know, today is a milestone in American History, with Sen. Barack Obama acceptance speech... More

Bonding With Syracuse Posted on 08/18/08
Tim Bond is the new Producing Director at Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University Department of Drama he’s served more than 20 years in regional theater throughout the country. Bond served for 11... More

The Gospel According to (Rev) James Posted on 06/09/08
As Second Olivet Missionary Baptist Church rebuilds a new young voice has emerged from the ranks of local clergy. Thirty-one year old Rev. Aaron James arrived from Rochester with his wife and two... More

Study Targets Sickle Cell Disease Posted on 05/11/08
An Interview with Phyllis Bazen, MSN Doctoral Candidate, University of Rochester School of Nursing When Phyllis Bazen attended Syracuse City Schools little did she know that decades later she’d... More

Would You Be My Neighbor? Posted on 04/06/08
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?... It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood, a neighborly day for a... More

Sidewalk Tree Posted on 03/11/08
The South Salina Street corridor between E. Brighton and Castle Street had been identified as an area ripe for investment due to results of an exhaustive study that indicated millions of dollars... More

A call to action:National Action Network is fired up and ready to roll Posted on 02/01/08
The traffic snaked through the neighborhood adjacent to Beattie Street towards Bethany Baptist Church as the parking lot filled to capacity. Ladies in church hats, students, men in suits, were all... More

‘King’s Challenge: Can We Live Peacefully in a Violent World’ is theme for Syracuse University’s 2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Posted on 01/14/08
The 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held in Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 20. The celebration, “King’s Challenge: Can We Live Peacefully in... More

VTH brings home a bad report card Posted on 12/18/07
The old Castle Rest Nursing Home was first built as a general hospital in 1916 becoming East Castle Rest Nursing home in 1967. Unfortunately, “Castle Rest” ended up in receivership under Lorreto... More

We need some green, a lot of green! Posted on 11/02/07
For those who bristled at Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s campaign observation that our environs had reached an Appalachian level of disaster, consider the statistics compiled by Howie Hawkins in a position... More

West Side Story: New Initiatives to transform City's Near Westside Posted on 10/15/07
WCNY to build new broadcast and education center on Near Westside WCNY, the Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York, Inc., plans to build a 75,000 square foot, multi-story new broadcast... More

What Urban Renewal Didn't Destroy: Que Reunion Recalls the 15th Ward Posted on 09/10/07
They were regal as they entered the University Sheraton for their semi-annual “Que” Reunion, celebrating a time in Syracuse where you didn’t have to lock your doors and everyone knew everyone. The... More

The man who cried ‘I am’: Looking for John A. Williams Posted on 08/11/07
I was introduced to John A. Williams through his cousin, local resident and retired Syracuse City School District Social Worker Elizabeth Page. The call informed me of the story written in a New... More

Barack Obama’s Walk for Change hits Syracuse Posted on 07/05/07
The Democratic primary is months away, but across the nation a massive grass-roots effort to get people to support Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign has begun. “Walk for Change” was billed... More

Summer In The City Posted on 06/11/07
Its summertime in Syracuse and Central New York, the area calendar is packed with events for the entire community to enjoy. There's the M&T Jazzfest, June 29,30 & July 1st one of the largest... More

Bethany Finds Its Voice Posted on 05/09/07
Nestled on solid rock above the city of Syracuse’s eastside, Bethany Baptist Church has provided a place of worship for its primarily African American congregation at various locations since 1887.... More

Moody Art Posted on 04/09/07
Michael Moody still remembers his finger paintings hanging on the walls of the old Everson Museum on the North Side. Since those art classes when he was five, he says, he has been creating images.... More

What A Party! Terry McAuliffe’s return to Syracuse Posted on 02/27/07
The e-mail began with an announcement that Terry McAuliffe, Bishop Ludden’s most prominent graduate is coming back to Syracuse as he embarks on a 25-city book-signing tour for What A Party! My Life... More

JENNIFER DANIELS: MEDICINE WOMAN Posted on 01/28/07
The urban community was first introduced to Dr. Jennifer Daniels when she defied conventional wisdom and located her medical practice in the middle of Syracuse’s south side. She soon developed a... More

Dr. McDreamy or Drum Major for Peace? Posted on 01/12/07
“If we assume that life is worth living and that man has a right to survival, then we must find an alternative to war. In a day when vehicles hurtle through outer space and guided ballistic missiles... More

Dreamgirls: A Dream Come True Posted on 01/01/07
"Dreamgirls" Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy Directed by Bill Condon Review I can’t remember the last time I walked out of a movie feeling so mesmerized, giddy... More

Build The Dream The Martin Luther King Jr., National Memorial begins construction Posted on 11/01/06
The King Family surrounded by Jessie Jackson, Andrew Young, President(s) Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were among thousands who took part in the ground breaking ceremony on November 13th 2006. The... More