Poverty concentrated in the AfricanAmerican and Hispanic neighborhoods in Syracuse has been identified as being among the highest in our nation. In fact, we’re number one when it comes to poverty concentrated within the African-American and Hispanic communities.
“What About Us?”
By Ken Jackson
Syracuse has the highest poverty rate in the Nation among African Americans at 65.2 percent “Economic Development”, those words mean different things to different people and groups. If you’re empowered, it can result in increased supports in the form of Tax Credits and other incentives. If you happen to reside in one of the identified pockets of poverty in the City of Syracuse it could mean a living hell.
Promises, Promises…
For decades inner-city residents have been told that projects like Destiny USA, construction of residential and retail downtown and a handful of “minority themed” programs would be economic development. Over 3 Billion dollars have been spent on major projects, Destiny USA, Syracuse University, SUNY UpHaving worked on the Near Westside in state, Onondaga County Lake Improve1994, the job; trying to improve a neigh- ment Projects, luxurious downtown conborhood that happened to be in one of the dominiums, high rent apartment develpoorest Census Tracts in the United opment , just to name a few. States. At that time, the pocket of exThose living in the worst conditions are treme poverty was restricted to the Near asking, “What about us?” If you recall Westside. It was also predominantly the dazzling multimedia display extolling white. the benefits would come to our area if we Twenty years later, those maps have gave Destiny USA a 30 year property tax changed radically, while there was some deal. In a setting filled with maps, images improvement on the Near Westside por- and video. Locals were made to feel that tions of the remaining city were in free- this was going to be the best thing to hapfall. pen in Syracuse since the Erie Canal.
The presentation was impressive, happy children getting off school busses in tree lined neighborhoods, graphics of how our education system would be enhanced by the infusion of money to the public coffers. A Tuscany themed village along with a re-creation of the Erie Canal, a golf course covering the stench emitting sewage tanks at the Metropolitan Sewage Treatment Facility. I forgot to add the project included a colossal dome covering the entire area. Connective Corridor Syracuse University spent hundreds of millions upgrading and transforming their hilltop campus. Another major project has Syracuse University expanding into the greater Syracuse community. The “The Connective Corridor”, leading from campus to downtown Syracuse, major developments are being built or are in the planning stages. This past August, Onondaga County unveiled a state-of-the-art, 30 million dollar state funded amphitheater on the shores of a freshly cleansed Onondaga Lake. Tickets for the first concert were $100 for prime seating, grass areas were for those who didn’t want to pony up requisite funds for the best spots.
Urban CNY Money $11 Million in New Funding For Statewide Foreclosure Prevention and Relief Programs
The Hall Monitor: Operation S.E.E.D. How to Empower Syracuse’s Impoverished AfricanAmerican Community
Newly-Formed Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (MEA) To Support Minority Business Ventures in Partnership with Centerstate CEO
What About “Us”? As these projects were rolled out and completed, “people on the street” have become dismissive and discouraged. As one S. Geddes Street store owner said, “What’s in it for us, African-Americans, the growing mass of the impover(Continued on page 2)
The Rescue Mission’s Alice C. Barber Day Center and Kiesewetter Emergency Shelter Opens in Syracuse
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ished? People living in Syracuse aren’t getting any of these jobs; we are not being uplifted by this socalled economic development.” Recently there was a report that identified Syracuse as a city with a concentrated poverty level of 65.2% among the African American population. The report illustrated the depth of the problem by mapping poverty on a city map. Soon after the poverty report we’re shown a map of gang activity, the irony is if you overlay the poverty map over the gang activity map, there appears to be a correlation. CNY Rising: From The Ground Up? Alliance for Economic Inclusion We now are being offered another, “plan” under the CNYREDC competitive proposal, CNY Rising: From The Ground Up. People may want to read the full 88 page proposal and draw their own conclusions. CenterState CEO has rolled out a development proposal that includes an Alliance for Economic Inclusion The “alliance” includes the newly formed Upstate Minority Economic Alliance, MEA which is supposed to be a 16 –county “minority” Chamber of Commerce serving the Upstate and Central New York region. While this has been decades in coming, the vast size consisting of this collective does little to nothing to address the needs of the AfricanAmerican business community, here in Syracuse. When African-American concerns are grouped with every minority group in a 16 county region, African -Americans lose, buried in the vast size of this “regional” approach. Over two decades many have approached CenterState CEO wanting an African-American “Chamber of Commerce” to deal specifically with the challenges of growing and sustaining a business in Syracuse. This Rank Metropolitan area proposal 1 Syracuse, N.Y. does little to 2 Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, Mich. address 3 Toledo, Ohio these localized 4 Rochester, N.Y. con5 Fresno, Calif. cerns. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y. Decades 6
There are a myriad of proposal and programs that have proven successful in developing home grown businesses in blighted neighborhoods. The Green Party’s perennial candidate, Howie Hawkins has long supported workedowned cooperatives as part of the local solution to sustainable business development, using the engines of enterprise that reside in the middle of our most underserved areas. “Syracuse has the highest rate of extreme poverty concentrated among blacks and Hispanics out of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas”, according to a reports of this study of poverty in America. These figures are detailed in an analysis of local census data by a Rutgers University professor. While recent data indicates Syracuse has consistently ranked as having one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, among African-American and Hispanics. In 1994, the near Westside was the poorest concentration of white poverty in America. Since then matters have gotten worse. The Syracuse poverty rate has accelerated from 9 “extreme poverty” neighborhoods in 2000, escalating to a shocking 30 high poverty census tracks today. Extreme Poverty is described as an area where over 40% of the residents are living below the poverty level. There’s a growing cry from the Syracuse AfricanAmerican community that these “economic development” programs deliver little to nothing for the African-American business community. The Edge Study among others indicated millions of dollars are flowing out from our S. Salina Street business corridor annually. These figures were for the S. Salina Street corridor only. This creates opportunities for tapping into local needs, by nurturing and building community 2000 2005-09 2009-13 - based worker owned entities. 43.4 48.3 65.2 There are no 17.3 41.1 57.6 clear provi18.7 43.4 54.5 sions for expanding the 34.2 43.5 51.5 Black owner42.8 28.1 51.4 ship base that exists in the 30.8 31.8 46.4 community 26.7 36.7 45.5 today.
of well- 7 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio meaning 8 Gary, Ind. 22.2 30.1 45.2 With approxieconommately 50,000 ic devel- 9 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, 38.7 41 44.8 Africanopment Wisc. Americans policies 10 Louisville/Jefferson County, Ky.-Ind. 38.6 41.9 42.6 living in Syrahave Source: 2000 Census, 2005-2009 and 2009-2013 ACS. Limited to the 100 largest metropolitan areas. cuse you failed wouldn’t know Syracuse’s African-American community. There’s it looking at our roster of Black owned businesses. now a pot-of-gold at the end of the funding rainLow rent Incubation, high-risk no interest loans, bow, there’s an incentive to become inclusive. grants and other creative incentives are required to Opportunity for Growth and Development
create sustainable businesses in the middle of our most impoverished neighborhoods. In their rush to get the money from the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, CenterState CEO has created a proposal that’s chock full of clichés on inclusion. What is not revealed in these plans, are details that address our current crisis, the 65.2% of Syracuse’s African-American living in concentrated poverty. The CNYREDC proposal, CNY Rising: From The Ground Up states, “The Alliance will lead and implement strategies toward best practices in training, eliminating misalignment of skills, increasing education, fighting blight and addressing homelessness to ensure that no Central New Yorkers are left behind as these efforts are pursued.” CNY Rising: From The Ground Up includes a funding requested that could result in the dissolution of the City of Syracuse. These are the political and socio-economic implications of “Government Modernization”. Just as the African-American community is poised to take power due to demographic changes, current leadership is rushing to change the rules of the game. There are hidden racial implications in this proposal that negatively impact growing minority voting power and localized representation. Tampering with representative government in the City of Syracuse is tantamount to moving a celebrated brass ring, just as we’re about the grab it. The aforementioned, lavender scented, warm and fuzzy clichés about “inclusion” are not offering real economic development solutions to this crisis in Syracuse. Syracuse’s African-Americans are living in concentrated poverty. Unless you’re homeless, or a teen beginning their journey, the question remains from the African-American Community, which remains to be answered “what about us?”
Published monthly by: URBAN CNY Kenneth Jackson Editor and Publisher 315-807-9022 Walt Shepperd Senior Editor Urban CNY 105 Rann Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204 For advertising and editorial: 315-807-9022 kjackson@urbancny.com Online at
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Operation S.E.E.D. - How to Empower Syracuse’s Impoverished African-American Community In recent weeks there has been information in the news about local economic development and regional initiatives designed to improve our economic conditions. The Governor visited with a list of 47 agenda items designated, “Capital for a Day” as he came to Syracuse. Meanwhile, Centerstate CEO has applied for funding through the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council’s proposal. Both are designed to have a positive impact on Upstate New York economy.
alone: "express mart" grocery stores to sell merchandise at reasonable prices, including craft items made by residents of halfway houses; light construction firms would build and rehabilitate SEED's own facilities and neighborhood houses; and wooden product manufacturers to supply prefabricated houses to the construction enterprises.
Dr. Monroe’s, Ithaca College Urban Crisis Resolution class was divided into groups that studied the various What many aren’t aware of was a procomponents of SEED. They came up gram proposed for Syracuse, 20 years with the business plan for the express ago that would attack the lack of goods marts-not a Wegmans-type megand services in impoverished underserved astore, but bigger than a 7- Elevencommunities. The plan called for creating that would bring a better line of city residents need. The program's cornerstone is a forworker- owned and operated businesses. This fact goods to these communities and be accessible to resiprofit holding corporation, Fundamental Incubation finding study was conducted by an Ithaca College dents by being within walking distance. and Resource Management Services (FIRMS), which “Urban Crisis Resolution” economics class in 1994; SEED does require start- up funds (seed money, if you will operate several business enterprises; and a nonthe following is a summary of what was proposed for will) as its various components are phased in. The estiprofit development corporation, the Center for EcoSyracuse’s Near Westside, 20 years ago. These same mated $3 million needed could be sought from a varienomic Democracy (CED), which will address social principles are applicable today. issues by providing employee education and training, ty of public and private sources. In 1994 Ithaca College’s Assistant Professor of Ecodaycare centers, and a substance abuse half-way We have to remind local governments that you cannot nomics Michael Monroe devised Operation SEED house. (We already have a variety of agencies dealing build gleaming convention centers and domes and (Socio-Economic Empowerment through Democracy) with substance abuse and rehabilitation, this is just an parking garages while ignoring the poorer neighboras an antipoverty program with a difference. SEED example of a client base that can be tapped into for hoods, because when you have these kinds of economfocuses on the residents as a community’s greatest, employment and training in the enterprises created by ic sinkholes you aren't going to get your tourists and asset. Two key questions face planners concerned with FIRMS.) conventioneers. We have to convince leaders it's in economic development in poor neighborhoods, How to their best interest to see people in the inner city work, The plan call, for FIRMS to establish, nurture, and attract productive enterprises, and who to attract. In the develop over the course of three to (four years a maxi- that it creates a much healthier community and you zeal to address the first concern, the second is often can then attract business. mum of 12 businesses, each ignored. capable of employing on averThe projects creator is This results in municipal development agencies attract- age 40 to 45 neighborhood blunt, "Some of the firms ing too many enterprises that consider only private residents. During this Start-up may fail, and there's no costs and benefits; consequently; they do little or noth- period, employees will receive guarantee that they will stay ing to support the socioeconomic development agenda literacy and skill training democratic," Monroe says, of their host communities. while learning the responsibil"There's going to be some ities of business ownership. What so often happens is that businesses come in, getresistance from people who When an enterprise demonting cheap labor and tax incentives. Then after a few are already getting more years they pull out and go elsewhere, leaving the peo- strates that it has complied than their share of the pie. with preset criteria, it will be ple who were working for them with nothing to show But if through SEED we for it. Jobless again, they can't afford to maintain their sold to its workers through an can create more jobs and (ESOP) Employee Stock homes and the neighborhood falls into another cycle of substantially increase indisrepair and despair. SEED is designed to break that Ownership Plan. The cycle of comes in the targeted new business creation will cycle not only by providing residents with an immedineighborhoods, we'll be ate opportunity to earn a decent wage but also by pre- continue with the intent, to able to make the whole pie ultimately break the ties of paring them for the rigors of responsible enterprise bigger-benefiting everyone. It can be applied to any dependence on welfare and other institutions constitut- city where there is a high enough concentration of ownership so they can control their own fates. ing the social safety net. poverty and other circumstances that would make it That's where SEED comes in, neither welfare nor effective.” workfare, it is intended to provide both real and lasting Initially, three kinds of businesses are planned for economic development and the support services inner- SEED, each designed to provide benefits beyond jobs Source: Ithaca Collage Quarterly Fall 1994
Syracuse Talent Showcase “Calling all Syracuse Talent” November, 2015 is in the area of vocal performance, movement/dance. Here is how it works:
A great opportunity for exposure! There are talented people in Syracuse and JHMN wants to motivate, expose and provide opportunities for them to continue or initiate their gift and talents.
“Stir up the Gift”! We are looking for participants in this exciting talent venue, and would like representatives from each part of the city of Syracuse. Our focus during October and
(Syracuse, NY)— Syracuse Stage’s 15/16 Season starts October 21 with The Underpants, a guffaw inducing comedy from the wild and crazy mind of the incomparable Steve Martin. In Dusseldorf, 1910, a very public wardrobe malfunction (a young woman’s underpants fall down at a parade—for the King!) becomes the talk of the town in this ribald update of an uproarious German farce. (Yes, there is such a thing.) Chock-full of sexual innuendo, verbal jousting, and non-stop laughter, The Underpants skewers the absurdity of instant fame. Bill Fennelly (Hairspray, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) returns to direct. The Underpants performs October 21-November 8 in the Archbold Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/Drama Complex, 820 East Genesee Street. The opening night performance is Friday, October 23 at 8 p.m.
Criteria: We want participants from each side of town in the Syracuse area, North, South, East and West. You must be recommended by your church, an organization, individual, self, or community/neighborhood representative.
instructions from professional mentors (at no charge), on topics such as vocal techniques, building selfesteem, stage and performance, singing/performing, and more! Don’t miss this great opportunity for exposure and success in performing arts. For further information, contact Dr. Joan Hillsman at 315-299-4928. Deadline for applicants, October, 2015. Youth starting ages from 12 to adults! You need not be a beginner. Experienced performers/artists are welcomed. Vocal and Dance renditions must portray a positive message.
Send recommendations to: jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.
This project is partially funded by, “The Gifford FounWe will then contact the applicant to work with dation”. Activities will be televised by C-Jack Run JHMN to prepare for performance and the culminating Productions. You never know who will see you. Don’t showcase. Upon selection the participant will receive Miss This! Tickets and info are available at www.syracusestage.org, by phone at 315-443-3275, and in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at 315-443-9844. Discounts are also available for seniors, students, and U.S. military personnel and veterans. Sign interpretation, open captioning, and audio description services are available for select performances. As a farce, The Underpants is fastpaced, very funny, and the stakes are very high for the characters. Director Bill Fennelly said that after first reading the play, he found it “laugh-outloud funny” and could envision Steve Martin playing each role. Of the accomplished Syracuse Stage cast, Fennelly said, “They’re so smart and extremely funny,” and best of all, “they’re not afraid to be total idiots.” he Underpants is one of two plays by Steve Martin. His other play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, was pro-
duced by Syracuse Stage in 2009. A celebrated comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer, and musician, Martin first made his mark in show business as a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and as a recurring guest on The Tonight Show. As an actor, he has appeared in many films including Father of the Bride, Parenthood, The Spanish Prisoner, and Bowfinger. His many accolades include Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy Awards, as well as an honorary Oscar. “What Steve Martin so humorously and expertly does is remind us that in the most human part of our hearts we all have very similar needs and desires, hopes, and fears,” said Fennelly. Martin’s The Underpants is many things. It is Steve Martin’s adaptation of Carl Sternheim’s 1911 scandalous and banned comedy Die Hose. It is a probing satire of social constructs, gender roles, moral sensibilities, and a male dominated political system. And of course it is a rollicking, door slamming, sex-farce. Yet, while all of these things are true, to me, most importantly and most immediately The Underpants is a play about marriage.”
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A.G. Schneiderman Announces More Than $11 Million in New Funding For Statewide Foreclosure Prevention and Relief Programs Since 2012, Attorney General’s Foreclosure Preven- HOPP advocate near you. All HOPP services are tion and Relief Programs Have helped More Than free of charge. 50,000 New York Families Fight to Keep Their Homes Your HOPP advocate will help you: Schneiderman: New York Is Leading the Nation In Smart, Innovative Ways to Address The Continuing Assess all your foreclosure prevention options Foreclosure Crisis And Keep Families In Their NegoHomes tiate with NEW YORK—Attorney General your mortEric T. Schneiderman today angage comnounced $11.5 million in new pany funding for more than two dozen Screen you legal services organizations for NYSstatewide to help prevent forecloMAP eligisures, keep families in their bility, and, homes, and rebuild communities if eligible, hit hardest by the housing crash. assist you through the entire NYS-MAP process, from application to closing Awards will be granted to 28 legal services providers with proven track records of providing services to at- Based on processing capacity and funds availability, risk homeowners. The grants, which are now before NYS-MAP intake will sometimes be closed. If intake the New York State Comptroller for review and final is closed, you will be prompted to put your name on a approval, are for one year with a possibility of a one- waitlist, and we will contact you when intake has reoyear renewal. The new round of funding brings the pened. total foreclosure prevention investment by the Office The $11.5 Million in funding comes on the heels of an of the Attorney General to more than $70 million. additional $10.1 million investment for housing counThe new round of funding will support the Homeown- seling agencies across New York State that was er Protection Program (HOPP), a network of nearly 90 awarded earlier this year, funded by settlements the housing counseling and legal services agencies that Attorney General reached with Bank of America and provide free, high-quality assistance to at-risk families Citibank in 2014. Those grants are going to 56 housacross New York to help them avoid foreclosure. A ing counseling agencies who are part of the HOPP report released this summer by the Attorney General’s network. office showed the program has already helped more "Attorney General Schneiderman's Homeowner Prothan 50,000 New York families. The Attorney Gentection Program is a critical resource for New Yorkeral has committed $100 Million to support HOPP from the settlements that his office negotiated with the ers," said Christie Peale, Executive Director at the Center for NYC Neighborhoods. "Middle- and nation’s largest banks following the collapse of the working-class homeowners across the state have faced housing market. so many struggles — the foreclosure crisis, Hurricane “New York has long been at the forefront of creating Sandy, predatory scams, and more. Throughout, this innovative ways to address the foreclosure crisis,” incredible program has been there to help New York said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “I families. The Center for NYC Neighborhoods aphave said since the day I took office that no one plauds Attorney General Schneiderman for his continshould ever lose their home because they didn’t have ued support of the program at a time when New Yorkaccess to a lawyer. My office is dedicated to using all ers need it most." the tools at our disposal to make sure mortgage servicers are held accountable in providing relief to New In addition to HOPP funding, the Attorney General York families who continue to weather the foreclosure has established systems designed to hold mortgage servicers accountable and ensure New York homecrisis.” owners are getting the relief to which they are entitled. To apply for NYS-MAP you must first work with a In 2012, the Attorney General established the morthousing counselor or legal service provider within gage servicing “Escalation Program” through a partthe Attorney General's Homeownership Protection ner agency, the Center for New York City NeighborProgram (HOPP). Call 855-HOME-456 to find a hoods (CNYCN). The Escalation Program allows
HOPP grantees to raise the profile of cases that are particularly difficult or where servicers are not being responsive to modification requests in a timely or reasonable fashion. CNYCN has established relationships with senior-level staff at many of the mortgage servicing companies who can quickly address these issues. Over the past three years, 562 escalation cases have been raised by HOPP partners, and 504 of those cases have now been resolved. In another innovation spearheaded by the Attorney General, Long Island HOPP partners collaborated with the Nassau and Suffolk County Courts to create "Bank Days," when mortgage servicers like Bank of America and Wells Fargo offer struggling homeowners the face-to- face support they need. High-level executives, resolution managers, and underwriters have attended these twice-a-month events to resolve issues on the spot and help get homeowners loan modifications. Of the more than 850 cases that Bank of America has worked on at these events this year, 50% have been resolved. The Attorney General has made combatting the housing crisis a priority of his administration. His fight against the foreclosure crisis includes the HOPP program and two other key pillars -- the New York State Mortgage Assistance Program and AGScamHelp.com. New York State Mortgage Assistance Program The New York State Mortgage Assistance Program (NYS-MAP), which began processing applications from across the state in October 2014, provides families at immediate risk of losing their homes with small loans to pay off debts that are a barrier to mortgage modification. NYS-MAP loans, which may be as much as $40,000, help families who are struggling to avoid foreclosure to pay off mortgage arrears, delinquent second or third mortgage liens, or unpaid property tax bills. The program is funded with money from the bank settlements. The program is modeled after a New York Cityfunded pilot program administered through the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN). OAG is working with CNYCN, as well as the Empire Justice Center, to assist in the operations of NYS-MAP. Both agencies are contracted by the Office of the Attorney General to assist with the administration of HOPP. In less than a year, NYS-MAP has approved 438 loans across the state totaling more than $13 million. The average loan amount, statewide, is $26,320. https:// application.nysmap.org/#
Newly-Formed Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (MEA) To Support Minority Business Ventures in Partnership with Centerstate CEO them for economic success and to recruit them to stay in the area, and acting as a clearing house of information for MWBEs and professionals of' diverse backgrounds. Through a historic alliance with CenterState CEO, MEA will also offer traditional chamber services and networking opportunities between members of CenterState Syracuse, N.Y. - Local community and business lead- is affiliated with CenterState CEO. This forum was not CEO and MEA. Robert Simpson, President of Centerers have announced the creation of the first Minority only for minority entrepreneurs, but professionals-ofState CEO, reflected on the new partnership by saying, Chamber of Commerce in the 16-county Upstate and color, as well. "When we were approached two years ago by leaders Central New York region: the Upstate Minority EcoAmong its many goals is to host networking forums in the minority community to assist with an effort to nomic Alliance, or MEA. for the two groups, enhance economic opportunity for The MEA's mission is to harness the economic power help businesses this segment of our population, we of the minority community for the benefit of the reachieve sustainable were eager to partner. Minorities gion. According to Edward Cuello, President of the growth, serve as a are becoming an ever increasing MEA board, the organization brings to fruition a multi- clearinghouse of inforsegment of our business communiyear project among numerous partners. A key goal of mation and resources, ty and overall population. If we the organization is to tap into the buying power of di- and to harness the ecodon't evolve to work with and supverse communities. "With that clout acting as a catanomic buying power of port these communities, we risk lyst, we will bring greater prosperity to all," said Cuel- minorities in the upstate region--all without reinventobsolescence." lo. ing the wheel; rather, levering existing resources and Market Information creating new programming to fill in the gaps. The Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA) 340,000 - Combined Population of African-Americans inaugural kick-off was held on Thursday, July 23rd Sharon Owens, board Vice President, pointed out that, and Latinos in the 16 County Upstate & Central New from 12 Noon - 2 p.m. at The SouthSide Innovation "The combined buying power of the Black and Latino York Region. Center, located at 2610 South Salina Street. Think of communities in New York State is more than $170 UMEA as a minority Chamber of Commerce. UMEA billion; that is a significant market -and it's right here. $76 Billion - Estimated Buying Power of Latinos in When you also con- the State of New York. sider that our region boasts more than 8,500 Black and Latino business owners, you realize the need for an organization like MEA."
$94 Billion - Estimated Buying Power of AfricanAmericans in the State of New York. 8,800 - Estimated Number of Black & Latino Business Owners in the 16 County Region Partnership with CenterState CEO
Just over three years ago, leaders in the minority community began discussions with executives at CenterState regarding the possibility of creating the region's first minority chamber of commerce. Continued disMEA will work to cussions made it clear that an alliance between Centerenhance regional prosperity by offer- State and the community leaders could create an organization robust enough to make a significant contriing core services like connecting qual- bution to the area's economy. ified candidates of As a symbol of the new partnership between Centercolor to employers State CEO and Upstate MEA, both organizations prelooking for new tal- sented the inaugural Minority-Owned Business of the ent, securing mem- Year Award at the CenterState CEO Annual Meeting berships for profes- on Thursday, April 2, 2015, at the Oncenter. sionals of color to give them access to Background new clients, sponIn recognition of the need for a focused effort to propel soring memberships and drive minority economic development in Upstate for minority high and Central New York, community leaders began adschool and 路college (Continued on page 7) students to prepare
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vocacy discussions with CenterState CEO representatives in 2012. Continued talks and research revealed that there was no active Black or Latino Chamber of Commerce operating in the 16- county region, despite the presence and economic contribution of thousands of entrepreneurs from diverse communities. To fill this need, community leaders and professionals of color came together to form the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA), which was publicly launched in April of 2015 at the CenterState Annual Meeting, along with the presentation of the first Minority Owned Business of the Year Award in partnership between the two groups. Operations Through the work of an Executive Board, Advisory Board, and business communications consultants, the organization is currently conducting a Listening Tour and organizing local Community Forums to assess the most pressing needs in the area in order to develop an effective and culturally relevant membership structure and programming.
UMEA Mission To act as a chamber of commerce for minority business owners in the area and serve as an agency for economic development in the region, advocating on behalf of entrepreneurs of color and working for increased access to financial opportunity. Chief Services MEA will work to enhance regional prosperity by offering chamber services like:
Connecting qualified candidates of color to employers looking for new talent
Securing memberships for professionals of color to give them access to new clients
News, Information, Opportunities, Church News and more online at the award-winning urbancny.com
Sponsoring memberships for high school and college students to position them for economic success and to recruit them to stay in CNY Serving as a clearing house of information for MWBEs & diverse professionals
Get Involved To be added to UMEA's developing listserv, database, or to serve on the Advisory Board, email UpstateMEA@Gmail.com
General Election will be held on November 3, 2015
Rudd Calls on McMahon to Stop $20 Million Tax Breaks for Proposed Destiny USA Hotel SYRACUSE, N.Y--Timothy M. Rudd, candidate for the Onondaga County Legislature’s 15th district, today called on his opponent to oppose tax breaks for the construction of a hotel at DestiNY USA. The developers of the hotel, major donors to County Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon’s various political committees, have been actively seeking a $20 million tax exemption from the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA), which is controlled by the Legislature Chair.
the Board of OCIDA--that would have given a $20 million tax break to the DestiNY USA developers for the construction of a hotel on their premises. DestiNY has already received an estimated $700 million in tax
"This election offers a clear choice between two very different visions for our government,” said Tim Rudd. “My opponent believes in corporate welfare, providing millions of our hard-earned dollars in tax breaks to wealthy special interests. I believe our government should invest in the people of our County and put our tax dollars where they are really needed: in our schools, our neighborhoods and our infrastructure.”
breaks, which was originally to include the construction of a hotel, a project that was never completed. OCIDA hired outside counsel after it was determined their attorneys were conflicted due to outside relationships with DestiNY. The outside counsel has worked on a feasibility study for the proposed DestiNY hotel, In 2014, the OCIDA considered a proposal--pushed by but it was never publicly released. Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon, who appoints
Tim Rudd added: “I call on my opponent to release the OCIDA report so our entire community can see the findings of this public agency’s research. I also call on Ryan McMahon to oppose further public benefits for this or any future DestiNY USA hotel proposal.”
The Republican Legislators Campaign Committee, run by Ryan McMahon, received two separate $2,000 contributions from Robert Congel and Bruce Kenan, lead Destiny USA partners, on November 25 and November 26, 2013. $4,000 was given by Destiny USA to Ryan McMahon immediately after the 2013 election. The proposed tax breaks for the DestiNY Hotel were announced with McMahon’s support in February, 2014, less than three months after these contributions were made. McMahon’s campaign committees have received almost $22,000 in contributions from people connected with DestiNY. Next week, Tim Rudd will propose a plan to use a share of the $20 million--the revenue our County would lose by granting a tax break to DestiNY--to create a youth jobs program.
Democratic Former City Officials Endorse Hawkins for City Auditor Howie Hawkins, the Green candidate for Syracuse City Auditor, received the endorsements today of a former deputy city auditor and two former city councilors. The former city officials are Lawrence Bott, Deputy City Auditor from 2004 to 2010 and an analyst in the city budget office in the administrations of mayors Lee Alexander, Tom Young, and Roy Bernardi; Pat Hogan, a Democratic 2nd District Common Councilor from 2006 to 2013; and Lance Denno, who served as a Democratic Common Councilor for the 5th District and then Councilor-at-Large from 2008 to 2013. Denno is running for Councilor-at-Large in this year's election as a Green candidate.
men for showing the strength of character to put their conscience, and the interests of the citizens of Syracuse, before party loyalty,” Hawkins said.
In his endorsement statement, former councilor Denno said, “The office of Auditor, like the Common Council, is established in the City Charter as independent of the Executive branch. The reason for this independence is a matter of common sense, it is called checks and balances. When all elected officials belong to the same political party, and many are personally connected to the Executive branch, that independence must be called in to question. I’m supporting Hawkins for Auditor because he has the independence and professionalism to do the job in the manner expected by the Charter.”
“As the former Deputy City Auditor,” Mr. Bott said, “I enthusiastically support Mr. Howie Hawkins in the upcoming election for Syracuse City Auditor. After observing the work ethic and the work product of the current City Auditor, I would urge voters to make a The three former city officials made their endorsechange in representation – a change that will result in ments at a news conference on Monday on Clinton greater independence and a clearer understanding of Square with Hawkins, who is campaigning to bring the scope of responsibilities of the elected auditor. independence, hard work, and professional staffing to Beyond a doubt, Mr. Hawkins is the individual who the city auditor's office. best embodies the integrity and political honesty need- Audit Priorities “Standing here this morning as the Green Party candi- ed to represent city residents as their independent Hawkins said they announced the endorsements at date for City Auditor to publicly receive the endorse- voice in City Hall.” Clinton Square because the ice rink has been the subment of these Democratic former city officials, I am Former councilor Hogan said, “In these challenging ject of two audits, one by former City Auditor Phil reminded of the words of President John F. Kennedy times the citizens of Syracuse needs a truly independ- LaTessa in 2005 and another by the incumbent audiin his book, Profiles in Courage: 'When party and ofent advocate for them as City Auditor. Howie Hawtor, Marty Masterpole, in 2013. ficeholder differ as to how the national interest is to be kins would give this office a new energy that would served, we must place first the responsibility we owe “A reading of those two audits shows how the quality insure that public monies are spent in a manner most not to our party or even to our constituents but to our beneficial for the residents of our city. I urge my fel(Continued on page 11) individual consciences.' I want to thank these gentlelow Syracusans to vote for Howie Hawkins.”
The Rescue Mission’s Alice C. Barber Day Center and Kiesewetter Emergency Shelter Opens in Syracuse This wing also provides exam rooms for visiting healthcare partners to serve clients, including St. Joseph’s Mental Health Services, Upstate University Hospital Podiatry interns, ACR Health and Keuka College nursing students, as well as any future providers looking to partner with the Rescue Mission.
The Alice C. Barber Day Center will be a hub of hope for individuals in need in Syracuse. Beyond having their basic needs met, individuals can be connected with employment opportunities and housing, mental health screenings, case management, veteran assistance programs, spiritual care and other services. The Kiesewetter Emergency Shelter contains eight dorms and bathrooms, and 183 beds. This is the Rescue Mission’s largest building project to date. The facility is 35,000-square-feet; it has 183 beds spread across eight separate dormitories. (This increases shelter capacity by 51 beds over their current facility.)
Employment and Education Resource Center Vocational case managers work individually with clients to determine their goals and needs in the Employment and Education Resource Center. For some, it is assistance with job searches, resumes and interview preparation. Others seek literacy training, enrollment in a high school equivalency degree program, or guidance with higher education. The Rescue Mission helped 283 individuals find employment during their 2014 fiscal year. Activities Room This flexible space will be the venue for art therapy, life skills classes and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, among other activities. To make services more accessible to our clients, this facility was designed with the intention to bring a variety of community services and support directly to clients. Fitness Center Cardio and weight equipment provide the opportunity for our guests to remain healthy and active, and to engage in structured health and wellness programs.
Clothing and Laundry Those experiencing homelessness For the first time in their history, the Rescue Mission often find themselves with few will provide overnight emergency shelter to women in clothing items, and limited options Syracuse in this facility. This 24-hour facility will intefor laundering and transporting grate day center and emergency shelter. clothes. The Rescue Mission provides shelter and day center guests This building was originally a recreation center, vouchers to our on-campus Thrifty opened in 1991 thanks largely to a gift by Raymond Shopper store, where they can seKiesewetter, a faithful friend and contributor to the lect clothing for themselves. Our Rescue Mission over many years. first-level client laundry room Alice C. Barber was the sister of Dr. Lucille Leach, provides access to washers and Dean of Women at SUNY Cortland. Dr. Leach bedryers. queathed an endowment as a legacy to her sister, Alice Access to Meals Barber, in honor of the challenges she met in her life after losing her sight. The Rescue Mission serves three free meals a day every day of the Health Services Wing year at our Food Services Center Clients physical and/or mental health challenges is across the street at 148 Gifford often a critical initial step for those experiencing homeStreet. Shelter guests and other lessness to move forward with their lives. This medical men, women and children in our wing serves as the office for Rescue Mission Health community who might otherwise Home Coordinators, who will connect Rescue Mission go hungry consume nearly a quarclients with accessible insurance and primary care proter million meals from this center viders, supported by St. Joseph’s Hospital. every year.
Tech Station A bank of iPads makes internet communications and social media available to our guests. In addition to Ipads, there are work stations with personal computers available for their use. Project cost was $7.2 million to renovate a dated recreation center into the day center and emergency shelter. It is located at 122 Dickerson Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.
CNYREDC Submits "CNY Rising" to State for Upstate Revitalization Initiative Competition As part of the state-wide competition, the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council submitted a plan to the Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition. The following is the culmination of hard work by a series of collaborators. The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council's plan submitted to New York State as part of Governor Cuomo’s $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition. Monday, Octoth’s ber 5 submission marks the culmination of months of work by stakeholders across our community to develop an economic plan that encourages new business formation and puts our region on a path of growth and prosperity for years to come.
investment. Over five years, CNY Rising’s components are expected to create nearly 6,000 jobs. Given the rigor put into it, I am confident we have a highly competitive proposal, and our region and community now have a blueprint for achieving economic transformation. Together we have risen to the challenge to change the course of the Central New York economy. I want to thank my council co-chair, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, fellow council members, and the many community partners and stakeholders for their dedication, support and participation throughout the process. I hope you will join us to stand behind this plan and implement the work ahead. CenterState CEO
4. National Veterans Resource Complex More than 900,000 veterans are New York State residents with 60 percent calling the Central New York region home. Over 1 ture Investments: million service members are expected to transition to veteran status in the next 1. Global Center for Unmanned Systems and Cross -Connected Platforms - Central New York will lever- five years, and Central New York, leveraging Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Famiage its competencies in precision-sensing, radar systems, and data analytics, and role as one of six Federal lies, will position the area as the national leader for Aviation Administration unmanned aerial systems test veterans affairs – offering premier employment, education, job training and research opportunities – maksites, to become the global leader in unmanned sysing the area the best place in the nation for veterans tems, cross-connected platforms, and information asand their families. surance to ensure safety and security in a world of interconnected devices. 5. Consensus Commission on Government Modern2. New York-Grown, New York-Certified Safe and ization - The plan proposes building on the work of Market-Ready Central New York will utilize its natu- Consensus to advance bold, collaborative, and modern ral assets a resilient climate, affordable land, abundant approaches to governance to better position Central water, and deep agricultural expertise to meet the rap- New York to compete in the 21st century. idly rising global demand for food and food safety. 6. Alliance for Economic Inclusion - The Alliance Central New York will capture the global demand for will lead and implement strategies toward best practicsafe and nutritious food by investing in controlled enes in training, eliminating misalignment of skills, invironment agriculture and aseptic packaging facilities, creasing education, fighting blight and addressing while building a brand identity for safe, New Yorkhomelessness to ensure that no Central New Yorkers produced food through a "Grown in NY Certification." are left behind as these efforts are pursued. 3. Global Manufacturing and Logistics Hub - LevRead the entire proposal: CNY Rising From The eraging our region’s geographic centrality, the hub Ground Up online link at urbancny.com would transform 225 acres of brownfields into a thriv-
To achieve our goal of driving meaningful, lasting and Robert M. Simpson, inclusive improvements in the region’s economy, this President & CEO plan recommends six areas for strategic investment that are interconnected with one another and align our region’s many assets to respond to regional, national CNY Rising’s Six Signaor international challenges:
Global Center for Unmanned Systems and CrossConnected Platforms
New York-Grown, New York-Certified Safe and Market-Ready
Global Manufacturing and Logistics Hub
National Veterans Resource Complex
Consensus Commission on Government Modernization
Alliance for Economic Inclusion
This submission is based on a data-centric market analysis as well as a strategic vison developed through a broad community engagement process. Eleven work groups; more than 120 business, civic and academic leaders; 1,750 public participants; and seven National Advisory Council members collaborated as part of this process. In the first year of implementation, this plan will leverage more than $889.9 million in private investment and a total five-year payroll of over $765.8 million, for a more than 16 to 1 return on New York State’s
ing center of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution that will dramatically reduce the costs to Central New York agricultural and manufacturing producers to get goods to international markets. This hub will be located within three miles of the region’s most impoverished areas, creating more than 300 jobs and an estimated 1,644 warehouse and distribution jobs within a 10 mile radius of 54 percent of underemployed workers.
County Executive Joanie Mahoney Announces Changes to End Solitary Confinement of Youth Reverend Johanna Marcure, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, spoke to the gathering about research which has shown that extreme isolation causes severe emotional and psychological harm, inducing apathy, lethargy, anxiety, depression, despair, rage and uncontrollable impulses, even among the healthy and mentally stable. The United Nations expert on torture called solitary confinement of juveniles “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.”
cern for these youth and thank her for her decisive action.
Barry Lentz, Chair of the ACTS Research and Action Committee, reacted to the County Executive’s announcement. “While we are very pleased that as of tomorrow, youth will no longer be subjected to solitary confinement, there is work left to do.” The Criminal Justice Task Force will monitor the completion of the relocation and ensure that Sheriff Conway and A statement written by a 17 year old youth participant Justice Center officials provide restorative programs in The Grace Project who was recently released from and services alongside appropriate disciplinary procethe Onondaga Correctional Facility was read: “During dures. my days locked in I battled suicidal thoughts, I talked This outcome should embolden ACTS and all conwith myself every day to remain focused, I refused to cerned citizens to address broader issues such as: actbecome what I had seen. To keep above the water is ing on Governor Cuomo’s Raise the Age Commission major. This is why incarcerated minds need hope, fair recommendation to enact legislation which will treat In response to a demand from the Criminal Justice treatment and another option.” 16 and 17 year old youth in the juvenile justice sysTask Force of the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (“ACTS”), County Executive Joanie Adolescent brains are still developing and with access tem; join the nationwide movement to end mass incarto services and appropriate programming they are ca- ceration; and to address core social issues of poverty. Mahoney announced changes which will relocate all pable of redemption. ACTS believes that incarceration is both a symptom minor youth currently held at the Onondaga County of poverty, and a contributing factor to keeping indiCorrectional facility in Jamesville to the Justice Center Mike Hungerford, task force co-chair, reminded us viduals and communities in a perpetual state of povdowntown. It is expected that the transfer of these that as people of faith and conscience, we are called to incarcerated youth will be completed on Monday, Oc- forgive transgressions and treat every person with dig- erty. tober 19th. Her response was given at an ACTS press nity. He outlined the history of the task force work, Lentz also stated that “ACTS understands the interreconference held on Sunday, October 18, 2105 at Grace and cited Sunday’s event as a clear case of democracy lationships between many issues, and that is why the Episcopal Church. in action. Concerned citizens identify and research an other ACTS task forces also work toward this focus.” He noted that the PreK Expansion as well as CommuACTS a grassroots, interfaith network advocating for issue, bring it to the attention of elected and public officials, and then those officials respond with action nity Violence and Youth task forces are part of a comsocial justice, has been working for most of this year either in policy or legislative change. We are apprecia- prehensive effort to make CNY an equitable and just to end the use of solitary confinement of 16 and 17 year old youth in Onondaga County. The work began tive that County Executive Mahoney shared our con- community, where ALL people can live up to their fullest potential and contribute to society. based upon a report from The Grace Project.
statements? Does the delay in financial reporting mean the city and school district must hoard funds instead of “Why did the school district run a surplus of $19.7 of the audits has declined under Masterpole. Masterspend them on critical areas like public safety and million in fiscal year 2013-14? Why wasn't a portion pole's second audit of the ice rink also raises the quesschools because they don't know where they stand of that money spent in the classrooms and building the tion of priorities. ,” Hawkins said. financially in real time? These are some of the highlong-delayed $2.5 million playing field at Fowler impact questions I want to prioritize as the city's audi“Nobody is moving out of the city because of the ice High School? Why did the public safety sector run a tor,” Hawkins said. rink” Hawkins said. “People who can afford to move $7.5 million surplus in fiscal year 2013-14 when Syraout because of struggling schools, high crime, and cuse residents were calling for more for officers for Hawkins is running to unseat the Democratic incumfailing infrastructure. I want to prioritize audits and beat-walking community policing to deter street bent, Marty Masterpole, in a two-way race with no special projects that can help the Mayor, Common crime? And why in this day and age does it typically Republican on the ballot. Council, and city departments and agencies better ad- take nine months for the city to prepare its financial (Continued from page 8)
dress these big problems that Syracuse faces.”