Posts Tagged ‘Syracuse University’

Neighborhood in Transition (part 3)

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
1000 Block of East Fayette Street

900 Block of East Fayette Street

Bing Shoots for a Rebound in Motown

Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Hon. Dave Bing, Mayor of Detroit

Hon. Dave Bing, ampoule Mayor of Detroit

During the past quarter century, when you thought of Detroit, you couldn’t help but think of a crime-ridden urban wasteland thanks to film such as RoboCop, True Romance, Blue Collar, Assault on Precinct 13, 8 Mile and Grand Torino.

The Honorable Dave Bing wants to paint a new picture of Detroit. The Mayor and NBA Hall of Fame guard, who is a graduate of Syracuse University, spoke yesterday at Whitman Day. He talked about coming and playing at Syracuse and being drafted #2 overall by the Pistons. He also said he had to work during NBA off-seasons to make ends meet.

Working those summer jobs (in banking and the auto industry) turned out to be one of the best things to happen to Bing, who says in his first entrepreneurial venture he lost 1/2 of his NBA savings.

After that minor setback, Bing became a salient model for post athletic business success and has parlayed his business influence all the way to city hall (he was elected in 2009).

“I am where I am and I compete where I am,” he said.

Beyond the court and the business world, Bing hopes his Third Act will include leading an economic, political and psychological transformation for the motor city.

Soul of the Game

Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Former Syracuse University Lacrosse Player and Coach Roy Simmons, Jr.

Former Syracuse University Lacrosse Player and Coach Roy Simmons, Jr.

Turtle Clan Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, who was an all-American Lacrosse goalkeeper at Syracuse University, along with Professor Philip Arnold, former SU lacrosse/football star (and NFL player) Jim Ridlon and former SU lacrosse coach Roy Simmons, Jr. discussed the history, progression and sportsmanship of lacrosse earlier this week at Syracuse Stage.

They appeared as part of the Onondaga Land Rights & Our Common Future Educational series coordinated by Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation.  Lyons talked about classic battle with Mohawk players and playing with broken ribs.

Coach Simmons insisted that lacrosse is a gentleman’s game, not a savage game. He also talked about the evolution of the lacrosse stick from being made with wood and animal gut to the more modern kevlar and nylon version.

Lacrosse Discussion: Lyons, Arnold, Simmons and Ridlon

Lacrosse Discussion: Lyons, Arnold, Simmons and Ridlon

Write On!

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Columnist Cynthia Tucker (right) with SU's Newhouse School Dean Lorraine Bran

Columnist Cynthia Tucker (right) with SU’s Newhouse School Dean Lorraine Branham

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Cynthia Tucker shared her views, opinions and forecasts for the next stage of journalism during a talk at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School last night.  She was joined on stage by Newhouse Dean Lorraine Branham during the conversation.

The New American Dream

Friday, March 19th, 2010

John Izzo

John Izzo is staying true to his roots. He is the son of an Italian immigrant and describes bittersweet memories of getting his hands dirty in the family garden as a child.

As he came of age however, his trade became engineering. But he didn’t let that work bury his dreams. These days wine is his passion.

In about a year Izzo purchased land in Cayuga County and co-founded White Barn Winery with his wife Lorraine.  They both hope to transition someday (soon) to have the winery as their full time pursuit.

In the sound clip below Izzo suggests that aspiring entrepreneurs assemble a Dream Team to help start, support and sustain their business/vision. One of his mentors is Chris Scholomiti at CJS Vineyards.

Izzo was the latest presenter for the Start-Up NY Extraordinary Speaker series held at the Southside Innovation Center (SSIC) earlier this week.

Neighborhood in Transition (part 2)

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Syracuse Center of Excellence (SOE)

Syracuse Center of Excellence (Syracuse CoE) Building

Neighborhood in Transition

Monday, March 15th, 2010
Above Midtown Syracuse

Above Midtown Syracuse

I have lived or worked in the Midtown section of Syracuse since I arrived in the early 1990s. It remains one of my favorite parts of the city. The construction shown here (on the former Kennedy Square site) is not too far from my office.

Journalism for the Future

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Emil Wilbekin, managing editor, Essence.com

Essence.com Managing Editor Emil Wilbekin says that the future of journalism will be more like a conversation than the typical dictating monologue that’s been the better part of the history of magazines and newspapers.

Wilbekin says a lot of the change will be driven by technology.

He encouraged students at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications to take their interests and use digital media to change the game.  But he added that the standard journalistic rules and standards will still apply.

Wilbekin was a founding editor at VIBE and recently headed Giant Magazine before coming to Essence.com in June.

The talk was sponsored by Syracuse University’s Magazine Department and the Black Communications Society.

Can You Stand to be Blessed?

Monday, March 1st, 2010
Cora Thomas Gospel Extravaganza with Guest Richard Smallwood

5th Annual Cora Thomas Gospel Extravaganza with guest Richard Smallwood

Welcome to Game Day

Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Game Day: Euclid Avenue

Game Day: Euclid Avenue