Syracuse welcomes The Mavericks, Kenny G, and The O’Jays and many others to the International Jazz Festival, June 26 – June 30. By Reggie Seigler A Friendly Five Columnist Imagine creating a festival based on an early 20th Century African American art form and keeping it so fresh and relevant that 40 years later, the festival celebrating this century-old tradition is still going strong. Now throw in a vision to make it free of charge and open to everyone. That’s a tall order! Frank Malfitano, the dreamer and driver behind the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, said the essential ingredients wer ..read more

By Greta Stuckey Early in his life, Tyson Brown recognized his passion for working with his hands. His brother, Thomas Brown, always had a love of client services and working with people. Five years ago, they took the leap and founded TJ Construction and Remodeling LLC. Vision Originally from Utica, New York, the family moved to Syracuse 20 years ago and never looked back.   Their mother, Gerri Regan, encouraged them to use their talents to open a business. After working in construction for a decade, Tyson and Thomas were ready to take their mom’s advice and started TJ Construction a ..read more

By Laura S. Román López Lekia Hill came to Syracuse 11 years ago from her hometown of Yonkers, a city just on the fringe of New York City. The move and adjustment to Central New York was filled with many struggles, Hill said. She fell into poverty and had to overcome hardships to sustain herself and her kids. Despite this, Hill had always envisioned having her own company. She wanted to “build something that would create a legacy for her and her family,” she said.  In 2023, she launched Lekia Tech LLC, a business management and development consulting firm. Vision Hill spent nearly five ye ..read more

Rachel Johnson found healing through a holistic approach. Now, she wants her community to have access to the same services. By Sarah Merke Rachel Johnson’s inner circle expected her to go to college. Johnson, though, wanted a choice, and the thought of college or nothing did not sit well with her.  During her senior year of high school, she entered her “rebel” stage and told loved ones that she wouldn’t go to college. She would find success by other means, she told them. But behind the scenes, Johnson submitted applications as she knew college was important. She focused on schools she sec ..read more

By Greta Stuckey After Shaunna Spivey-Spinner gave birth to a son during the pandemic, the Syracuse native was ready for a change. Spivey-Spinner felt uncomfortable in their body and started looking for ways to get fit. Soon after, Spivey-Spinner decided to make fitness more than a hobby. In 2023, they made their dreams a reality by becoming a personal trainer and founding Holliwood Fitness.  Vision Spivey-Spinner didn’t always have it easy growing up in Syracuse. They were bullied in school and told by many that they were “different.” Despite the challenges, they liked being unique. In t ..read more

By Laura S. Román López Eileen Baugh has always loved helping others with their business endeavors.  Having joined the United States Air Force in 1980, and then working in banking at Wells Fargo, Baugh received extensive training in administrative support.  In 1999, she took the plunge and began Admin-On-Call LLC, a resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners to receive back-office support to help their businesses thrive.  Vision Although she was born and raised in Brooklyn, Baugh spent many years living in Virginia where she worked at First Union Corporation (a bank th ..read more

A local public charity has launched a nonprofit bridge loan program to help organizations as they wait for approved government grants.  By Laura Román López  More than half of the nonprofits in New York state experience delays in getting state funds for programs the state has already contracted for. The Central New York Community Foundation hopes its new nonprofit bridge-loan program, launched earlier this month, will help ease the burden caused by those delays. A collaborative effort with Cooperative Federal Credit Union, the program will help nonprofit organizations and organi ..read more

The South Side community met Monday to discuss crime and housing, with city leaders advocating for the passage of a state senate bill that would outlaw unwarranted evictions. By Laura Román López and Greta Stuckey City police warned residents at Monday’s Southside TNT meeting not to leave their cars running unattended, as tempting as that may be on a cold Syracuse morning. Lt. Brian Novitsky said that most stolen cars in the city are Kias and Hyundais, some of which have a flaw that makes them easier to steal. But he said car thefts overall increase in the winter when vehicles are more often l ..read more

The Syracuse community gathered at La Casita Cultural Center on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of renowned artist Juan Cruz. By Laura Román López Mia Cruz-Worthy looked at the crowd at La Casita Cultural Center and marveled at the turnout for her father’s funeral, calling the assembled artists and art lovers “my dad’s chosen family.”  Juan Alberto Cruz died on Jan. 10th at the age of 82. The space is filled for a memorial service in his honor, hosted by La Casita. Artwork made by Cruz adorned the space, with paintings showcasing bright tones of blues and reds propped on easels around th ..read more

By Jaden Wilson Bentley Bryant is an ASL-teaching, music-loving, Texas native who brings Syracuse’s deaf community together every Friday evening.   “Deaf Coffee” is a national deaf social event that dedicates itself to providing a safe space for deaf people to socialize. Bryant is the host and creator of Deaf Coffee in Syracuse, which meets at 6 p.m. Fridays at different Panera Bread locations across the region. Walking into Panera on a recent Friday, it’s easy to spot Bryant as she sits at the center of the table, her blue eyes bright with intensity as she signs animatedly to the gr ..read more