Four Groups Selected to Receive Honors During 100 Black Men of Syracuse Annual Banquet
Thursday, 17 November 2011 08:05
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. has announced that four local organizations will be recognized Dec. 2, 2011 during its fourth annual honors banquet. Honorees for this year’s event are P.E.A.C.E., Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, On Point for College and the Le Moyne College Upward Bound Program.
The organizations will be cited for providing a variety of educational opportunities and other learning experiences for area youth, particularly at-risk youth. The banquet, featuring the theme “Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Leaders,” begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool.
“Our honorees truly exemplify our banquet theme,” said Vincent Love, president of 100 Black Men of Syracuse. “Because of their decades-long service, hundreds of young men and women were able to extend their academic careers and are now positive role models for today’s elementary, middle school and high school students.”
Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature entertainment by the musical group Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
Banquet tickets are $50 per person in advance. Call (315) 443-8749 or e-mail
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to order tickets and receive additional information about sponsorship and advertising opportunities. A banquet flyer, sponsorship information and ad form for our banquet souvenir journal are posted on our website and can also be downloaded.
Class Begin to Prepare for College Entrance Exams
Saturday, 05 November 2011 07:15
100 Black Men of Syracuse is partnering with Say Yes to Education to present a college entrance test preparation course. The series of six four-hour classes, which are provided at no cost to students, begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 12 at the Syracuse offices of Say Yes, 109 Otisco St. Lunch is provided. Classes continue through January 2012.
According to the 100, the organization's partnership with Say Yes will enable more local high school seniors, juniors and even sophomores to better prepare themselves to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) in 2012. Class instructors will cover test strategies and the Critical Reading, Writing and Mathematics sections of the SAT.
Tentative Class Schedule
Nov. 12, 2011
Dec. 10, 2011
Jan. 14, 2012
Nov. 19, 2011
Dec. 17, 2011
Jan. 21, 2012
All classes are held at the 2nd floor offices of Say Yes to Education from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
100 Black Men of Syracuse Presents Series of Yoga Classes
100 Black Men of Syracuse is presenting a series of six yoga classes in the summer of 2011 in cooperation with Infinite Light Yoga, which is hosting the classes at The Spa @ 500. The classes are specifically designed to teach the practices of yoga and how it contributes to your overall wellness.
This six-week series is taught by Tedra Needle, a certified Infinite Light Yoga teacher, on six consecutive Thursdays that started July 7, at 5: 30 p.m. at the Spa at 500 West Onondaga Street in Syracuse. This video, which features Needle, documents the July 7 series debut.
Pre-registration is required. It is strongly suggested that if you plan to attend that you commit to the number of classes remaining in the series when you register to guarantee your space in this program.
Space is limited; only 20 participants per class are being accepted.
Dose of Summer Yoga Classes Gives a Shot to Community's Mind, Body & Spirit
Friday, 01 July 2011 22:28
A series of six weekly yoga classes this summer is the latest in a series of initiatives by 100 Black Men of Syracuse aimed at promoting community health and wellness. Presented in cooperation with Infinite Light Yoga, the classes begin July 7 and continue to Aug. 11 each Thursday at The Art of Massage Spa @ 500, 500 W. Onondaga St. in Syracuse.
Tedra Needle
“In recent weeks, we offered Zumba and hip hop dance fitness classes leading up to this year’s Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness,” said Charles Anderson, chairman of the 100 Black Men of Syracuse health and wellness committee. “The transformative, low-cost yoga classes we are presenting this summer build on the success of those fitness classes and Gaskin Walk.”
The 90-minute sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be led by instructor Tedra Needle, a 200-hour certified ILY teacher from Tony Riposo’s Infinite Light Yoga studio.
Local Youth Enjoy Trip to RIT Technology Festival, Thanks to the 100
Wednesday, 08 June 2011 22:38
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., in partnership with Onondaga Community College and Junior Frontiers of Mohawk Valley, recently sponsored a trip for 48 middle, high school and college students to the daylong Imagine RIT Innovation and Creativity Festival. The fourth annual event, held May 7 at the Rochester Institute of Technology, is a creativity fair showcasing 350 interactive exhibits, research projects and hands-on demonstrations presented by RIT students, faculty and staff, as well as a select group of Rochester-area high school students.
The group arriving from Syracuse that morning traveled on a chartered bus provided by 100 Black Men, OCC and Junior Frontiers, who also provided chaperones. The students, clad mostly in jeans and a variety of casual shirts, shoes and light jackets, were among nearly 32,000 visitors who flocked to RIT for the festival. They watched robots perform a variety of tasks, participated in engineering and design experiments, sat for 3-D portrait shots, worked to blend a smoothie using a bicycle and toured the academic facilities of the nation’s 15th largest private university.
“We support and organize this trip with the same purpose as the tours of historical black colleges we help sponsor for local high school seniors and juniors,” said 100 Black Men of Syracuse at-large director Drake Harrison. “We want our young people receptive to the exciting opportunities only higher education can offer and experience another side of student life.”
The trip marked the second straight year 100 Black Men of Syracuse has teamed up with OCC and the Junior Frontiers to take students to the Imagine RIT festival. Photographs from the trip can be viewed in the photo gallery section posted on this website
South Side Community Welcomes Clean-up Efforts of Teens
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 06:19
Fifteen young men, embracing the afterglow of Earth Day 2011, grabbed gloves, trash bags, shovels, grabbers and an assortment of other tools they used on April 30 to clean up 11 city blocks of sidewalks and curbs along South Salina Street in Syracuse. For nearly three hours, they corralled, cornered, jabbed and stabbed, as well as lowered a hand or two to retrieve empty soda cans and other leftovers from a particularly harsh winter. Dozen of bags of trash were collected in the community most of them call home.
The young volunteers, who ranged in age from 12 to 19, are participants in the “Manhood Training Academy,” a two-year-old mentoring program sponsored by 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. The idea for the cleanup project came from the young men themselves during a recent session held at the South Side Innovation Center. The group meets at SSIC every other Saturday morning with volunteer mentors, members of 100 Black Men of Syracuse.
As passersby witnessed the enthusiasm displayed by the young men during the clean-up, some were moved to give the young men words of encouragement, such as “God will reward you for what you’re doing” and “This is what should be on the front page of the newspaper.”
“These young men are certainly to be commended for initiating this community project on their own and then following through with it,” said Vincent Love, 100 Black Men of Syracuse president. “While we often think of adults as role models, these young men are role models, too, especially for their peers.”
Members, from left, Lou Clark, Jerome Walker, Vincent Love, Walter Eiland and Robert Jenkins, accept the Omega Psi Phi Chi Pi chapter's Organization of the Year Award.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.’s Chi Pi Chapter recognized 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. on Feb. 24, 2011 as its Organization of the Year during the chapter’s Dennis Dowdell Scholarship reception. Members of the Syracuse chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. were cited for their mentoring and other volunteer work with local youth. The annual reception, which was held at City Hall Commons in downtown Syracuse, is a benefit sponsored by the fraternity to raise money to send black males to college.
After accepting the award on behalf of 100 Black Men, President Vincent Love described the local Omega Psi Phi chapter as a “strong and willing partner” in helping Syracuse’s young African-American males.
“Our youth can only benefit when we support each other’s efforts to do what is right and necessary for the future of our community,” Love said.
The fraternity also honored community and youth advocate Mary Nelson as its Citizen of the Year, presented Syracuse University professor Roosevelt “Rick” Wright with its Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized James Jordan with its Superior Service Award.
Scholarship Programs for College Students
Sunday, 26 December 2010 12:51
Even if you do not have a college-aged child at home, please share this with someone who does, and to anyone and everyone that comes to mind. Though there are a number of companies and organizations that have donated money for scholarships to African Americans, a great deal of money is being returned because of a lack of interest or awareness. Take the initiative to get your children involved. Money shouldn't be returned to donating companies because we fail to apply for it.
Please pass this information on to family members, nieces, nephews, friends with children, etc. We must get the word out that money is available. If you are a college student or getting ready to become one, you probably already know how useful additional money can be. (If clicking on the link doesn't work, then type in the Web site address manually.) Pay particular attention to all eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
If you are aware of scholarship programs not listed here, let us know by e-mailing the name of the scholarship as well as the URL (hyperlink) to the most relevant web page to us at
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.
Eye Specialist is Among Four Medical Pacesetters to be Celebrated at Third Annual Honors Banquet
Sunday, 21 November 2010 17:52
Sylvia W. Norton
Syracuse, New York (November 21, 2010) — 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. announced today that Dr. Sylvia W. Norton is the final honoree who will be recognized Dec. 3, 2010 at the organization’s third annual honors banquet. Dr. Norton, who was the first female ophthalmologist to graduate from Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, will be honored with Dr. Sharon Brangman, Dr. Saundra Barnett-Reyes and Dr. Ruben Cowart during the banquet, whose theme is “Setting New Standards in Health & Wellness.”
The four honorees will be cited for their individual and professional achievements as well as their community service during the fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature musical entertainment by Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
After graduating in 1975 from Upstate Medical Center, Dr. Norton has practiced ophthalmology, with specialties in cornea, cataract and laser surgery for 30 years. As a board-certified ophthalmologist, she was principal investigator for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s original clinical Excimer laser trials, which ultimately resulted in approval of laser surgery known as PRK or LASIK for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Dr. Norton is the founder and medical director of the James W. Jerva Eye Laser Center in Syracuse. For nearly 19 years, she volunteered as medical director of the Central New York Eye Bank and 18 years as a member of the board of directors of Madison-Irving Medical Center in Syracuse.
Dr. Norton is also the founder and served as president of the Syracuse-based West African Eye Foundation Inc., an organization that works to educate the West African people about ways to better treat and prevent blindness. Through the foundation, she has donated her surgical services to help needy children from abroad regain their sight.
Health Center’s Founder Joins Other Medical Professionals to be Recognized Dec. 3 at Third Annual Honors Banquet
Sunday, 14 November 2010 18:21
Ruben P. Cowart
Syracuse, New York (November 14, 2010) — Dr. Ruben P. Cowart will be recognized Dec. 3, 2010 at the 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. third annual honors banquet for his leadership over the past 33 years of the Syracuse Community Health Center. Dr. Cowart, who is founder, president and chief executive officer of the SCHC Companies Inc. and its three affiliate corporations, will be honored with Dr. Sharon Brangman, Dr. Saundra Barnett-Reyes and one other distinguished medical professional during the banquet, whose theme is “Setting New Standards in Health & Wellness.” The final honoree will be announced next week.
Honorees will be cited for their individual and professional achievements as well as their community service during the fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature musical entertainment by Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
Dr. Cowart provides overall leadership for the SCHC System of Care, which operates with an annual budget of more than $133 million, employs more than 450 workers, insures more than 40,000 residents and provides primary health care annually to about 75,000 patients. Under Dr. Cowart’s leadership, Syracuse Community Health Center has grown to include 15 neighborhood-based health centers throughout Onondaga County and more than 100 board-certified providers and support staff.
Since founding Syracuse Community Health Center in 1978, Dr. Cowart has served in major leadership positions with numerous local, state and national organizations. Currently, he is chairman of the Syracuse Planning Commission, a member of the Syracuse Housing Authority board of commissioners, a regional representative on the National Association of Community Health Centers board of directors, member of the SUNY Upstate Medical University Council and a member of the Crouse Hospital board of directors.
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., sponsor of the banquet, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organization founded in 2007. The group was inducted in June 2009 as an official chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. 100 Black Men of Syracuse's primary focus is on mentoring local male students and has started mentoring programs at Fowler High School, Blodgett School and Percy Hughes Magnet School, as well as its own "Manhood Training Academy." Members of the organization also support a variety of other community initiatives, including the Eradication Squad Precision Drill Team, SAT preparatory classes and other education, health and wellness and economic development programs.
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Syracuse Mental Health Expert is Among Four in Medical Field to be Honored at Annual Banquet
Sunday, 07 November 2010 21:30
Syracuse, New York (October 30, 2010) — 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. announced today that Sharon A. Brangman, division chief of geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University, will be honored Dec. 3, 2010 at the organization’s third annual honors banquet. Dr. Brangman, who is also president of the American Geriatrics Society, will be recognized along with three other distinguished medical professionals at the banquet, whose theme is “Setting New Standards in Health & Wellness.” The other banquet honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
Honorees will be cited for their individual and professional achievements as well as their community service during the fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature musical entertainment by Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
Dr. Brangman serves as fellowship director for geriatric medicine at Upstate and director of the Central New York Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center. She is an attending physician at James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre and is also Medical Director of Greenpoint/The Hearth Senior Living Communities in Syracuse.
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., sponsor of the banquet, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organization founded in 2007. The group was inducted in June 2009 as an official chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. 100 Black Men of Syracuse's primary focus is on mentoring local male students and has started mentoring programs at Fowler High School, Blodgett School and Percy Hughes Magnet School, as well as its own "Manhood Training Academy." Members of the organization also support a variety of other community initiatives, including the Eradication Squad Precision Drill Team, SAT preparatory classes and other education, health and wellness and economic development programs.
Saundra Barnett-Reyes
Syracuse, New York (November 7, 2010) —100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. announced today that Dr. Saundra Barnett-Reyes, who operates a private psychiatry practice in Syracuse, will be honored Dec. 3, 2010 at the organization’s third annual honors banquet. Dr. Barnett-Reyes will be recognized along with Dr. Sharon Brangman and two other distinguished medical professionals at the banquet, whose theme is “Setting New Standards in Health & Wellness.” The other banquet honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
Honorees will be cited for their individual and professional achievements as well as their community service during the fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature musical entertainment by Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
Dr. Barnett-Reyes has led a long and distinguished career in the mental health field as a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher and educator. Prior to opening her own full-time practice in 1992, she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Knoxville College and medical degree at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Dr. Barnett-Reyes is also a clinical supervisor for psychiatry residents at the SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse and lecturer, consultant and workshop trainer for the Upstate Regional Mentally Ill Chemical Abuse Program.
Additionally, Dr. Barnett-Reyes is a member of the Onondaga County Child Abuse Council and New York State Association Board of Trustees of Community Colleges. She has spoken on a variety of topics, including the use of alcohol and its impact on the black community, hypertension and addicted young black males.
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., sponsor of the banquet, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organization founded in 2007. The group was inducted in June 2009 as an official chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. 100 Black Men of Syracuse's primary focus is on mentoring local male students and has started mentoring programs at Fowler High School, Blodgett School and Percy Hughes Magnet School, as well as its own "Manhood Training Academy." Members of the organization also support a variety of other community initiatives, including the Eradication Squad Precision Drill Team, SAT preparatory classes and other education, health and wellness and economic development programs.
The young volunteers, who ranged in age from 12 to 19, are participants in the “Manhood Training Academy,” a two-year-old mentoring program sponsored by 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. The idea for the cleanup project came from the young men themselves during a recent session held at the South Side Innovation Center. The group meets at SSIC every other Saturday morning with volunteer mentors, members of 100 Black Men of Syracuse.
