SYRACUSE -- The recent violence in Syracuse has sent shock waves through the city. Thursday, former Henninger star athlete Kihary Blue died in the hospital, six days after being shot on the highway. Syracuse police say that shooting triggered another one just two days later, claiming the life of 20-month-old Rashaad Walker, Jr. He was laid to rest today.
"We're living in a time where we realize that we just can't sit back, we have to be active," said Vincent Love, President of 100 Black Men of Syracuse. "We have to do all that we can do to help our children be successful."
Love's words rang clear before a packed honors banquet in Liverpool. The 100 Black Men of Syracuse formed locally in 2007, and mentors young kids in hopes of making them productive members of society. Love stressed the importance of getting to them early and often.
"Every one young person that we can reach..that we can get them in the positive direction, that's one less young person that's out there on the corner that's carrying a knife or a firearm that may do harm to somebody else," he said.
His sentiment was shared by every member I spoke with, including Vice President of Operations Robert Sykes.
"Get involved -- it doesn't take a lot of time...but once that occurs, you'll see the benefits immediately," Sykes said.
Love says getting involved can be as simpe as saying hello.
"We have young people that are standing on corners or walking through neighborhoods, nobody takes the time to just talk to them, to find out how they're doing, to find out what they're thinking about," Love said.
The 100 Black Men of Syracuse meets every 1st Saturday of each month from 10am until noon at the South Side Innovation Center, located on 2610 South Salina Street.
