March 2, 2018 - The Buildings on Syracuse's Eastside during a blizzard.
Artist Statement: This project visualizes the sacred and everyday lives of people from “The Town”—a metaphor and nickname for Syracuse, New York created by its Black residents. The Town represents large, vibrant pockets of community considered marginalized and often invisible to outsiders. This collection of stories, an ongoing documentary series and still image archive, pays tribute to the people and places embodying its existence.
In the media, commonplace images of Black and Brown neighborhoods, typecast as “the inner city,” focus on crime, poverty, violence, etc., render the people invisible by failing to recognize their dimensions of joy and resilience. This project, visual Anthropology at its core, offers an intimate perspective on The Town and a counter-narrative to the one-dimensional portrayal of Black and Brown communities across the United States.
Syracuse is a reflection of how systemic racism stratified many American cities—decades of redlining, gentrification, incarceration, and job loss meant the decline of neighborhood shops, supermarkets, and historic residences. For example, in the 1950s and 60s, the 15th Ward, a thriving Black and Jewish community built around clubs, churches, and businesses, was leveled to make way for the construction of I-81. In 2017, Syracuse’s poverty rate (32.4%) tied for ninth in the nation with Bloomington, Indiana and Dearborn, Michigan.[1] That Federal prosecutors use RICO laws to target and destabilize Black neighborhoods, fragmenting families by sending dozens from a single community to prison exemplifies the extent of institutionalized racism. Consequently, most people in The Town know someone who has been to prison.
André “Ralow” Wilson, a neighborhood griot, first heard his home called The Town while incarcerated across New York State. “I think it started in prison and ended out in the street and it just stayed there,” he said. Prisoners communicate using their hometown monikers and the vernacular flows into the streets. “When you from The Town, it’s a town thing,” says Ralow. “Even though Syracuse is small it’s still big enough that everybody don’t know everybody, so when you see an individual that may look familiar, ‘Yo, you from The Town?’ It’s not a question of what town they’re from but without hesitation, ‘Yeah, I’m from The Town.’ We doing shit that big cities are doing. We doing shit that big cities ain’t doing. There’s no place like The Town. Don’t take my word for it, ask around.” This project began around 2014, evolving into a long-term collaboration, including documentary series with Ralow and various people and places within The Town.
The Town is not unique to Syracuse. It could be used in conversation to identify an outsider or as a way of distinguishing someone from the block. People in other cities may use different codes or share ours. The Town will resonant among many communities and individuals across the county and globe. This project offers a distinct perspective aimed at countering forces of systemic oppression, simply by showing people’s everyday lives.
[1] Breidenbach, Michelle. “Syracuse makes list no one wants to be on: Top 10 U.S. cities with highest poverty.” Syracuse.com, September 13, 2018.
April 20, 2018 - Oriana Kyles at “the Hooka Spot" in the basement of a bodega.
October 10, 2016 - Friends and family of Jon Jon gather in "the...READ ON
October 10, 2016 - Friends and family of Jon Jon gather in "the circle" at The Buildings for a burnout in his memory where he was killed a year earlier. His murder is still unsolved.
May 30, 2020. In The 10th, Qua [right] and friends’ hangout next door...READ ON
May 30, 2020. In The 10th, Qua [right] and friends’ hangout next door to Miss Lisa's house, mourning the loss of their friend Arty.
April 8, 2020 - Carrie had Sir’Logan just after New York State shut...READ ON
April 8, 2020 - Carrie had Sir’Logan just after New York State shut down due to COVID-19. She had no complications, giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
July 18, 2020 - At home during lockdown, Carrie tattoos her son's name...READ ON
July 18, 2020 - At home during lockdown, Carrie tattoos her son's name down her back -"Sir'Logan." Oriana wraps the fresh ink for protection.
March 10, 2019 - Some people need to escape—individuals and families...READ ON
March 10, 2019 - Some people need to escape—individuals and families migrate back to the south. Looking for a fresh start after nine years of incarceration, Morrice Harper departs from Syracuse, home his entire life, to live with his sister Walika outside of Charlotte in Kannapolis, NC. “I will not go back to Wood Ave. I will not go back to Wood Ave. I will not go back to Wood Ave,” Morrice Harper wrote three times in his ASAT (Alcohol Substance Abuse Training) case plan for relapse triggers. “Wood Ave in Syracuse was my downfall, I grew up there,” he said. Despite his fervor, fate had something else planned. Upon release from Groveland Correctional Facility Morrice moved back to Wood Ave. “It’s funny because now I live on Wood Ave in a whole new city.” Morrice expects to turn his life around, relieving his family of the pain and burden caused by his incarceration.
May 30, 2020 - Alisha and Hanifa on Hudson Street.
May 25, 2018 - Friends of Arthur “Nunu” Hunter III gather to...READ ON
May 25, 2018 - Friends of Arthur “Nunu” Hunter III gather to celebrate his life. Nunu pulled over to service his vehicle on I90 when a freightliner truck drifted off the road and hit the back of his car killing him. He was 26-years-old and leaves behind six children. The police sneak up on Nunu's vigil with their guns drawn, claiming to have followed a suspect through a nearby alleyway. They fail to find the individual while ruining the atmosphere of the party. Without a more serious offense, they hand out a noise violation ticket to "Big O." The police photograph the vigil from across the street and one of Nunu's friends lights a candle for his memorial.
May 18, 2019 - "Toot" braids his friend Nunu's name in his hair...READ ON
May 18, 2019 - "Toot" braids his friend Nunu's name in his hair for the 1-year anniversary of his death.
June 1, 2021 - Wanda holds a photo of her nephew outside his funeral....READ ON
June 1, 2021 - Wanda holds a photo of her nephew outside his funeral. "Remy 4x" was a 15-year-old up and coming rapper who offered hope to his family and the community. He was shot and killed near his home on Shonnard Street.
June 13, 2017 - Kiair Abdellatif’s family, including his mother Tenesha...READ ON
June 13, 2017 - Kiair Abdellatif’s family, including his mother Tenesha and brother Kaivon, gather at his gravesite in Oakwood Cemetery to celebrate his 21st birthday. Kiari, an aspiring photographer, was murdered a year prior, in 2016.
July 1, 2018 - A series of 90-degree days spill into the comfort of night as...READ ON
July 1, 2018 - A series of 90-degree days spill into the comfort of night as the high temperatures bake the city of Syracuse. Carla and her son Jaxiel “Che Che” seek relief with an evening swim outside their apartment in The Bricks.
January 12, 2020 - Miss Carmen and Edward at Studio 54's Latin Night in Downtown Syracuse.
December 15, 2018 - The Syracuse Elk's Lodge annual Christmas breakfast...READ ON
December 15, 2018 - The Syracuse Elk's Lodge annual Christmas breakfast for the kids. Early on a Saturday morning, the kitchen illuminates smells of bacon, sausage, and eggs as children fill the barstools waiting for a plate and to take their picture with Santa who bemoans a Henny hangover, the consequences of a late night at The Lodge.
January 10, 2015 - "Green Eye's" at Calcaño's Tavern...READ ON
January 10, 2015 - "Green Eye's" at Calcaño's Tavern on a Friday night.
July 4, 2020 - Puerto Ricans play the latest Latin trap and reggaeton, while...READ ON
July 4, 2020 - Puerto Ricans play the latest Latin trap and reggaeton, while July 4th fireworks produce a dreamlike fog that clouds the Near West Side.
November 3, 2019 - Carrie's gender reveal for her son Sir'Logan at...READ ON
November 3, 2019 - Carrie's gender reveal for her son Sir'Logan at her mom's house.
February 15, 2020 - Carrie receives a FaceTime call from an incarcerated...READ ON
February 15, 2020 - Carrie receives a FaceTime call from an incarcerated loved one during her baby shower for Sir'Logan at the Chess Club.
October 22, 2017 - Underground hangouts and after-hours rendezvous replace...READ ON
October 22, 2017 - Underground hangouts and after-hours rendezvous replace disappearing neighborhood bars like B&Bs in The 10th and Lois’ across from The Bricks. Places where boosters once hoped to unload stolen goods on lush patrons benefiting from the half-price meats, seafood, soaps, and detergents. India, a breast cancer survivor, and her stepdad Lathan release balloons for a breast cancer fundraiser at the bar.
Artist Statement: This project visualizes the sacred and everyday lives of people from “The Town”—a metaphor and nickname for Syracuse, New York created by its Black residents. The Town represents large, vibrant pockets of community considered marginalized and often invisible to outsiders. This collection of stories, an ongoing documentary series and still image archive, pays tribute to the people and places embodying its existence.
In the media, commonplace images of Black and Brown neighborhoods, typecast as “the inner city,” focus on crime, poverty, violence, etc., render the people invisible by failing to recognize their dimensions of joy and resilience. This project, visual Anthropology at its core, offers an intimate perspective on The Town and a counter-narrative to the one-dimensional portrayal of Black and Brown communities across the United States.
Syracuse is a reflection of how systemic racism stratified many American cities—decades of redlining, gentrification, incarceration, and job loss meant the decline of neighborhood shops, supermarkets, and historic residences. For example, in the 1950s and 60s, the 15th Ward, a thriving Black and Jewish community built around clubs, churches, and businesses, was leveled to make way for the construction of I-81. In 2017, Syracuse’s poverty rate (32.4%) tied for ninth in the nation with Bloomington, Indiana and Dearborn, Michigan.[1] That Federal prosecutors use RICO laws to target and destabilize Black neighborhoods, fragmenting families by sending dozens from a single community to prison exemplifies the extent of institutionalized racism. Consequently, most people in The Town know someone who has been to prison.
André “Ralow” Wilson, a neighborhood griot, first heard his home called The Town while incarcerated across New York State. “I think it started in prison and ended out in the street and it just stayed there,” he said. Prisoners communicate using their hometown monikers and the vernacular flows into the streets. “When you from The Town, it’s a town thing,” says Ralow. “Even though Syracuse is small it’s still big enough that everybody don’t know everybody, so when you see an individual that may look familiar, ‘Yo, you from The Town?’ It’s not a question of what town they’re from but without hesitation, ‘Yeah, I’m from The Town.’ We doing shit that big cities are doing. We doing shit that big cities ain’t doing. There’s no place like The Town. Don’t take my word for it, ask around.” This project began around 2014, evolving into a long-term collaboration, including documentary series with Ralow and various people and places within The Town.
The Town is not unique to Syracuse. It could be used in conversation to identify an outsider or as a way of distinguishing someone from the block. People in other cities may use different codes or share ours. The Town will resonant among many communities and individuals across the county and globe. This project offers a distinct perspective aimed at countering forces of systemic oppression, simply by showing people’s everyday lives.
[1] Breidenbach, Michelle. “Syracuse makes list no one wants to be on: Top 10 U.S. cities with highest poverty.” Syracuse.com, September 13, 2018.
Artist Statement: This project visualizes the sacred and everyday lives of people from “The Town”—a metaphor and nickname for Syracuse, New York created by its Black residents. The Town represents large, vibrant pockets of community considered marginalized and often invisible to outsiders. This collection of stories, an ongoing documentary series and still image archive, pays tribute to the people and places embodying its existence.
In the media, commonplace images of Black and Brown neighborhoods, typecast as “the inner city,” focus on crime, poverty, violence, etc., render the people invisible by failing to recognize their dimensions of joy and resilience. This project, visual Anthropology at its core, offers an intimate perspective on The Town and a counter-narrative to the one-dimensional portrayal of Black and Brown communities across the United States.
Syracuse is a reflection of how systemic racism stratified many American cities—decades of redlining, gentrification, incarceration, and job loss meant the decline of neighborhood shops, supermarkets, and historic residences. For example, in the 1950s and 60s, the 15th Ward, a thriving Black and Jewish community built around clubs, churches, and businesses, was leveled to make way for the construction of I-81. In 2017, Syracuse’s poverty rate (32.4%) tied for ninth in the nation with Bloomington, Indiana and Dearborn, Michigan.[1] That Federal prosecutors use RICO laws to target and destabilize Black neighborhoods, fragmenting families by sending dozens from a single community to prison exemplifies the extent of institutionalized racism. Consequently, most people in The Town know someone who has been to prison.
André “Ralow” Wilson, a neighborhood griot, first heard his home called The Town while incarcerated across New York State. “I think it started in prison and ended out in the street and it just stayed there,” he said. Prisoners communicate using their hometown monikers and the vernacular flows into the streets. “When you from The Town, it’s a town thing,” says Ralow. “Even though Syracuse is small it’s still big enough that everybody don’t know everybody, so when you see an individual that may look familiar, ‘Yo, you from The Town?’ It’s not a question of what town they’re from but without hesitation, ‘Yeah, I’m from The Town.’ We doing shit that big cities are doing. We doing shit that big cities ain’t doing. There’s no place like The Town. Don’t take my word for it, ask around.” This project began around 2014, evolving into a long-term collaboration, including documentary series with Ralow and various people and places within The Town.
The Town is not unique to Syracuse. It could be used in conversation to identify an outsider or as a way of distinguishing someone from the block. People in other cities may use different codes or share ours. The Town will resonant among many communities and individuals across the county and globe. This project offers a distinct perspective aimed at countering forces of systemic oppression, simply by showing people’s everyday lives.
[1] Breidenbach, Michelle. “Syracuse makes list no one wants to be on: Top 10 U.S. cities with highest poverty.” Syracuse.com, September 13, 2018.