Foto: Tony Shi Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens has announced the date for her first State of the City address. The event will take place on Thursday, January 29, at 6 p.m. at Nottingham High School on East Genesee Street. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and attendees must register online, with the signup link to be posted later this week.
Mayor Owens, who was elected in November, has been focusing on initiatives to support children, teens, and young adults. As part of her efforts, she established the "GenNEXT" committee, co-chaired by Syracuse Common Councilor-at-Large Rasheada Caldwell, Juhanna Rogers from CenterState CEO, and Indaria Jones from Syracuse University. The committee aims to engage with young residents and address their concerns.
Owens has also held community dialogue events to connect with young people and city officials, encouraging discussions on local issues. Her choice to deliver the address at a city school aligns with her outreach efforts to engage with the youth of Syracuse.
The State of the City address is a requirement by the city charter, where the mayor presents an annual report to the common council. Owens follows former Mayor Ben Walsh, who delivered his final address at Grant Middle School in 2025.
According to Syracuse.com, Owens' speech will focus on her administration's goals and initiatives for the city. As the first African American and second woman to serve as mayor of Syracuse, Owens brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles in community development and public service.