Facts and the Stories We Tell

December 23rd, 2011
“We develop the capacity to influence the stories we tell ourselves, so that they empower rather than undermine us.”
Tony Schwartz

Today I heard a wonderful story on NPR’s Tell Me More about an exhibit for the work of Charles “Teenie” Harris, a great visual story-teller. Thanks to some help  from the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Tey Stiteler, I got to check out a photo of Albert Mills, who was the first African-American detective in Pittsburgh.  Mills later retired to the Syracuse-area and I knew him from my previous job.

Here is a photo Stiteler found.

Neighborhood in Transition (part 10)

December 17th, 2011
Syracuse Stage (construction)

Syracuse Stage (construction)

Generations of Art & Activism

December 12th, 2011
George Kilpatrick and his sister at the Opening of "Child of the Universe" at CFAC

George Kilpatrick and Sherri Kilpatrick Duchenne at the Opening of “Child of the Universe” at CFAC

I got a chance to check out the inaugural show for mixed media artist and activist, George Kilpatrick, Sr. on Saturday. The show,held at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), was attended by community members, artists, as well as the Kilpatrick family.

Media personality George Kilpatrick, Jr. opened the show by reading a poem his dad wrote called “The Artist.”  George’s sister Sherri Kilpatrick Duchenne also told a story about how her dad taught the family to harness the  power of the pen.

George Kilpatrick, III, a student studying at Howard Unviersity, representing third generation of the family, sang a soulful rendition of “Yesterday,” which reminded me a lot of the Donny Hathaway version.

Unplugged: George Kilpatrick, III, sings "Yesterday" by the Beatles

Unplugged: George Kilpatrick, III, sings “Yesterday” by the Beatles

The show is on display for the rest of this week.

Griot Vanessa Johnson presents George Kilpatrick, Jr. with a quilt

Griot Vanessa Johnson presents George Kilpatrick, Jr. with a quilt

Talking all that Jazz

December 9th, 2011
Noah Kellman, musician, blogger, CNY-native (circa 2005)

The Superfriends: Noah Kellman, musician, composer,  blogger, plays on stage with Spencer Murphy and Nick Frenay (circa 2005).

I got a message yesterday that pianist Noah Kellman, a musician and young veteran of the local jazz scene will be writing a blog for the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation.  I first heard him play on one of the scholastic stages for the Jazz in the City (now the Northeast Jazz & Wine) with Nick Frenay and Spencer Murphy.  Since then Kellman, now an award-winning pianist and composer, has shared the stage with Nicholas Payton, Antonio Hart and he’s even played the Grammys.  Talk about a rising star. It will be good to read an insider’s perspective on the local jazz scene from an accomplished home-grown talent.

Neighborhood in Transition (part 9)

November 30th, 2011
Construction of Cooper Beech Commons near East Fayette Street and University Avenue.

Construction of Copper Beech Commons near East Fayette Street and University Avenue.

Continuing a legacy

November 22nd, 2011


Congratulations to the 2011 graduates of the J. Alfred Cage (JAC) Bible Institute.

The JAC was founded by Bishop S.Y. Younger of Lynchburg, Virginia.  The Institute is named for the late J. Alfred Cage, who was pastor of Eternal Hope Worship Church in Syracuse.

The 2011 commencement ceremony took place at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse and included members of Eternal Hope Worship Church and the Ramp Church International. The commencement speaker was Bishop Aaron Sneed of Bridgeport, CT.

Chocolate Thoughts

November 19th, 2011
Shane Evans and Taye Diggs discuss their collaboration to create Chocolate Me.

Shane Evans and Taye Diggs discuss their collaboration to create Chocolate Me.

Actor Taye Diggs along with fellow SU alum Shane Evans talked about their book Chocolate Me and did a reading at the Greater Evangelical COGIC last Sunday. The story,based on lessons Diggs mother gave him as a child, are a great anecdote to low race esteem and self image.

In addition to the reading, Evans and Diggs did a musical performance (Evans on guitar, Diggs on beatbox) with crowd participation.

The event was sponsored by Say Yes to Education (Syracuse).

Taye Diggs gets some help during a song peformance with Shane Evans at the Greater Evangelical COGIC

Taye Diggs gets some help during a song peformance with Shane Evans at the Greater Evangelical COGIC

Shane Evans answers questions about illusrating Chocolate Me

Shane Evans answers questions about illustrating Chocolate Me

SCSD children listen to performance by Diggs and Evans

SCSD children listen to performance by Diggs and Evans

Comic View

November 19th, 2011
D.L. Hughley

D.L. Hughley

D.L. Hughley, Dean Edwards and SU Alum Tyler Gilden brought a humorous spin on current events, campus life and politics last week at Goldstein Auditorium during the Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Phi Beta show last week. Opening the show was SU student Demarcus Woods.

Dean Edwards as Jay-Z

Dean Edwards as Jay-Z

Crowd favorites included a Denzel, Tracy Morgan and Jay Z impression by Dean Edwards, D.L. Hughley’s mistaking SU alum Floyd Little for Herman Cain, and Gildin’s take on frat parties.

Tyler Gilden

Tyler Gildin

Demarcus Woods, the Country Comic

Demarcus Woods, the Country Comic

D.L. Hughley tries to make a love connection between students at Syracuse Unviersity

D.L. Hughley tries to make a love connection between students at Syracuse Unviersity

Bodacious Beginning

November 5th, 2011
Syracuse Silver Knights inaugural game versus Rochester, November 4, 2011

Syracuse Silver Knights inaugural game versus Rochester, November 4, 2011.

The Syracuse Silver Knights supplied drama and excitement during a come from behind victory against the Rochester Lancers Friday night. They scored the go ahead goal with less than one minute remaining in the inaugural contest, which was played at the Onondaga County War Memorial.

MISL is off to an ambitious start in Syracuse.

Community Media Adocate

November 4th, 2011
Amy Goodman, journalist

Amy Goodman, journalist

Journalist Amy Goodman spoke at Syracuse Unviersity last night  as a guest of the Syracuse Peace Council and the Tully Center for Free Speech. Her show Democracy Now! was broadcast today from the studios of WCNY.

Goodman says her show covers Movements (such as Occupy Wall Street) because Movements have the makings of power.

Syracuse Peace Council's Andy Mager

Syracuse Peace Council’s Andy Mager