Utica, NY — The 14th Annual James Blackshear Memorial Prayer Luncheon, held at Club Monarch, brought together community leaders, family members, and youth to honor the life and legacy of one of Utica’s most impactful citizens. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Utica and Hope Chapel AME Zion Church, the luncheon celebrated the unwavering service of James Blackshear—a Navy veteran, civic leader, and mentor whose legacy continues to inspire.
Staff from the Herkimer Madison Oneida Workforce Development Youth Employment Program led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, emphasizing the event’s continued commitment to empowering the next generation.
Jon Perry, former Cosmopolitan Center board member and Executive Underwriter at Utica National Insurance Group, shared heartfelt memories of his mentor: “James Blackshear was selfless. He put God first, family second, and himself third.”
Blackshear served as Executive Director of the Cosmopolitan Center for 22 years, focusing on juvenile delinquency prevention, employment counseling, and senior citizen nutrition and wellness. He was inducted into the Mohawk Valley Community College Hall of Fame in 2000.
His civic contributions were extensive: he chaired the City of Utica Human Rights Commission, served as a New York State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and held leadership roles with the Greater Utica United Way, NAACP, YMCA, and the Utica Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also a past President of the Kiwanis Club of Utica and recipient of the prestigious Len Wilbur Award in 1991.
In a touching closing, his niece Tina urged attendees to carry forward his mission: “Continue focusing on the youth, because my uncle James would have wanted it that way.”
The luncheon served not only as a memorial but also as a call to action—to live with purpose, serve with humility, and uplift the youth of our community.
