Barner-McDuffie House

As the room encourages community and comfort, students often congregate in the social lounge.  Elements such as artwork and accessories that are representative of some Black homes are throughout the social lounge.  A variety of activities happen here as students use the space to watch movies, play games, host events, sing karaoke, sleep, study and hangout. This large room includes a television and many modular chairs to accommodate game night, movie night and group discussions.

• Room Location: 108
• Room Capacity: 20

This quiet area hosts the names of Black literary giants flanking students while they study.  The student subcommittee identified each of the names and quotes that are showcased in this room and visitors will find that they represent the many intersectionalities that exist within Black individuals.   This room is equipped with plenty of seating and room to study, it can also hold small groups such as book clubs.

• Room Location: 201
• Room Capacity: 20

The mural throughout the room was concepted and designed by Syracuse University students.  Offering numerous modular tables, this room is large enough to hold well-attended meetings and small programs.

• Room Location: 108
• Room Capacity: 20

Making the building fully accessible, the Barner-McDuffie House hosts an elevator.

The maximum capacity of the house including standing and sitting areas is 150. However, if only seated the number reduces to 80.

Artwork is a major component in the Barner-McDuffie House. Local artists, faculty and alumni are represented in the space and the students took great care to recommend a variety of artists who they feel best express the full Black experience.

This building came to fruition during the social unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd.  It was of the utmost importance to students that there was a space in the Barner-McDuffie House that was dedicated to Black bodies lost to violence.   This space has also become one that allows students time for introspection, contemplation, decompression and rest.

• Room Location: 205
• Room Capacity: 4

A fully functioning kitchen equipped with cooking essentials, tables, chairs and a television that can address all presentation and entertainment needs. Students use this space to cook, enjoy catered food and share meals. 

• Room Location: 106
• Room Capacity: 20

The theme for this room is entertainment, highlighting representation throughout of entertainers who have shaped the Black experience as well as the global entertainment experience.   This space is fully equipped with a television that can address all presentation and entertainment needs.

• Room Location: 202
• Room Capacity: 12

The theme for this room is Black History at Syracuse University.  The Barner-McDuffie House is partnering with other areas on campus to identify visual elements that will represent the historical aspect of the Black student experience.  A great place to meet and study, this space is fully equipped with a television that can address all presentation and entertainment needs.

• • Room Location: 103
  • Room Capacity: 12

As self-care takes various forms, these seminars help prepare students for creating an alignment of caring for one’s mind, body and soul.

Through collaboration with key University partners and recognized student organizations this initiative helps grow community connections.

Alongside academic year celebratory months, intimate conversations are hosted to further celebrate the intersectionality of being Black. To motivate and empower the campus community, each talk is centered around identities, background, personal and professional growth.

Provides students the opportunity to distinguish the connection between their academic and professional identities, outline their next steps to achieve their goals, while growing their network.

Itanwa Orinwa (Our Story, Our Song) is a graduation ceremony dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Syracuse University graduates of color. ltanwa Orinwa was founded in 2002 at Syracuse University by a group of distinguished Black students.

Class of 2024 Itanwa Orinwa

Friday, May 10, 2024, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

JMA Wireless Dome

Degree recipients who would like to be honored during the ceremony, as well as faculty and staff who would like to process at the ceremony, are asked to complete the Itanwa Orinwa registration form by Friday, May 3. Non-degree recipients and all other attendees do not need to register. For more information about the event, please visit BIPOC Student Success.

Helps to foster relationships through creative collaborative initiatives to serve Syracuse University’s self-identified Black diasporas.

Brady Market is a community-centered grocery store on the westside of Syracuse that provides the resources to build a new beginning, inspiring change through hope, health and healing: Hope by employing, educating and equipping individuals for success; health by increasing access to healthy and affordable foods; and healing by way of increasing social connections, access to resources and support within the community.

Point of Contact: Samuel De La Paz, samuel@bradymarket.org

Volunteer Opportunities

• Marketing: Assisting the marketing coordinator with content creation, market research and tracking return on investment (ROI) on marketing campaigns.
• Data: Tightening up data collection in our point-of-sale (POS) system and analyzing product sales trends to inform future strategy.
• Supply Chain: Assist with the management of our supplier database, especially in getting ready for the local harvest season so we can capitalize on our relationship with local farms.

Cafe Sankofa is a volunteer-run wellness cooperative on a mission to support, educate and provide the Southside community with healthy options, informed by a model of cooperative economics and community engagement. They’re working towards a future where all people in the City of Syracuse’s Southside community have equitable access to healthy food, wellness programming and health-related education and resources, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Point of Contact: sankofacafe5@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities

• Fresh Food Access: Farmers markets, food shares, reduced cost groceries and more.
• Yoga and Fitness: Yoga, zumba, and other wellness and fitness classes.
• Community Resource Hub: A hub for information about community resources and events.
• Special Events: Cultural events and other timely programming, all open to the public.

The Center for Community Alternatives, founded in 1981, is a leader in community-based alternatives to incarceration and policy advocacy to reduce reliance on incarceration. They provide direct services to communities in New York City, Syracuse and Rochester, engaging approximately 3,500 youth and adults annually who would otherwise be incarcerated.

Point of Contact: cca@communityalternatives.org

Volunteer Opportunities

• Court Advocacy
• Gender-Based Substance Treatment and Recovery Communities
• Student Advocacy
• Violence Prevention
• Workforce Readiness
• Youth Mentoring for Justice-Involved Youth

The Community Folk Art Center‘s mission is to exalt cultural and artistic pluralism by collecting, exhibiting, teaching and interpreting the visual and expressive arts. Public programming includes exhibitions, film screenings, gallery talks, workshops and courses in studio and performing arts. A proud unit of the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University, CFAC is a beacon of artistry, creativity and cultural expression engaging the Syracuse community, the region and the world.

Point of Contact: Cedric Bolton, ctbolton@syr.edu

Volunteer Opportunities

• After-School Programming
• Arts Exploration
• Career Exploration
• Youth Mentoring

The core mission of The Dunbar Association, Inc. is to enhance the quality of life, break the cycle of generational poverty and develop racial equality in our community. The agency has filled the gaps created by the color division in the city and has helped to maintain African American culture in the city by acting as a location for the Black community’s social events like dances, youth groups, meetings and weddings.

Point of Contact: dunbarassociation@dunbarsyr.org

Volunteer Opportunities

• Senior Services: Health, financial and estate planning services; exercise classes; Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); Home Headquarter services
• Youth Programming: Homework assistance, academic tutoring and STEM.

Syracuse Community Connections is a community-based organization whose mission is to help people better manage their lives. With each interaction with their clients, they have an opportunity to impact lives in a positive manner. Their team-oriented approach affords staff an opportunity to grow and develop while providing extraordinary customer service.

Point of Contact: receptionist@smnfswcc.org

Volunteer Opportunities

The majority of their positions are human services and health care-related with a focus on women’s reproductive health. If you are passionate about working with the community and have a positive can-do attitude, learn how you can become part of their team.

• Breathe with Reiki
• Champions Martial Arts
• The Syracuse Yoga Collective

• Chi’Soul Food
• Crave Dessert Studio
• EthioEritrea
• Jamaica Cuse
• Miss Prissy’s
• Samba African and Caribbean Market
• Sista Sweets NY
• The Taste of Africa
• 210 Teas

• Cuse Curlfriend
• The Divine Den
• Dominick’s African Hair Braiding
• Fresh Spa Lounge
• Infinite Design
• The Pretty Peach Wax Studio
• Sisters African Hair Braiding
• Tayshi Beauty Salon
• theCut

• Black Cub Productions
• Creative Roots
• The Creators Lounge
• Cristian Kaigler
• On the One – DJ Center

• Black Citizens Brigade
• Cocoa’s Candles
• Experience the Love
• Love Line Jewelry and Designs
• Tuft Talk