The Red Hot Mamas are not like any group that you would typically see doing work in a community. Most of them are senior citizens, and nearly all (except one) are African American. They are not victims of the circumstances that surround them. Instead, they are actively fighting to enhance the community in which they live.

Out of Syracuse, N.Y., the group meets every week to talk about issues that affect their community, especially young people. On May 4, they are holding a community forum against youth violence and have invited the Syracuse chief of police, Frank Fowler, as their guest speaker. They organize, collect donations and actively work with an inner-city community center to help the young people. They refuse to simply sit down and watch the problems grow.




"Yes, we can make a difference in the community. We can mentor the young people, get them to think positive things. We can get younger people to contribute to their community," said Mary L. McCoy, one of the group's members, to Black Voices.

The group's members are all above the age of 60 and have one white member, who was also one of the founders. According to one of their founders, they "refuse to comply with the stereotype that seniors can't be constructive, contributing members of their community." So, they are ready for action and determined to share their fire for change with anyone who will listen.

Their first forum they held dealt with the escalation of human bondage and trafficking as well as violence against women of color. The group is diverse. The president, WalterMae Hawkins, worked as an environmental services supervisor at a local hospital for 30 years. Another member, Amie Jamison, is a retired nursing assistant. Bessie Crowell is a civil rights activist who boasts that she was among the first protesters to get into city hall "without being arrested" in 1980.




When it comes to dealing with young people, the group banks on the energy of passionate grandmothers, giving the advice that they feel young people need to hear:

"Education is knowledge, knowledge is power, and you don't get that walking the street being violent and disrespectful to yourself and all others, with your pants dropped down," says Adelle Porter, another member.

The group has won a long list of awards for their work and has gotten the attention of city leadership. They plan to continue growing and eventually expand their efforts to those who wish to replicate their activities. The city of Syracuse, like many other economically challenged communities in the industrial North, have a long list of issues stemming, from joblessness, violence and weakened morale.

Community initiatives like the Red Hot Mamas remind us of the legacy of Dr. Dorothy Height, who continued to engage in active community work up until her very last moments. Dr. Height probably did more work in her 90s than most people do in a lifetime. We can learn from that kind of persistence.

To learn more about the Red Hot Mamas and their amazing work, go here.




Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.