Syracuse, N.Y. — Driving around Atlanta and its suburbs growing up, KingJoseph Edwards always had an emotional reaction to seeing people in need out on the streets.
“He didn’t understand people not having the bare basics,” said Alicia Edwards, his mom.
Seeing how affected her son was, Alicia Edwards offered him a solution: They could pass out plates of food to people they saw who needed it. They started in small, manageable numbers, but quickly, Edwards wanted to do more.
“It’s not enough food,” Alicia Edwards recalled her son telling her. “We’re not doing enough.”
Edwards’ nonprofit, Helping Hand & More, is now in its 10th year and expanding its reach beyond Atlanta as Edwards begins his Syracuse football career.
Edwards and his mom coordinated with several local organizations for the “We are the Dream MLK Celebration” he hosted Saturday afternoon hours after he moved in to his SU housing and before he even participates in his first team workout Monday.
BluePrint 15, a local nonprofit aimed at revitalizing Syracuse’s old 15th ward, assisted the Edwards in putting on the event. STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School offered its cafeteria as the venue.
The community engagement event, which had a corresponding toiletry drive for people in need, had the feel of a family gathering despite Edwards being new to the area.
“I really like the love that they’re giving me out here,” Edwards said. “It means a lot to me.”
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown and defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson both attended to support Edwards and connect with their new community themselves.
Brown shook hands with volunteers at every one of the community organization booths set up during the event. He spoke with community members and colored with their kids.
Syracuse football coach Fran Brown colors with children of community members during a charity event put on by his recruit, KingJoseph Edwards.Emily Leiker
Brown’s own passion for and dedication to community service was part of what made the connection between him and Edwards — a connection Edwards cited as a big factor in choosing SU over Colorado and Florida State — so strong.
When Edwards called Brown to tell him he was putting on the MLK event, Brown didn’t hesitate to tell him he’d be there in support, Edwards’ mom said.
“That’s why it was easy for me to send him here with Fran because I know he’s a good person,” Alicia Edwards said. “Nick (Williams) is a good person. Coach Elijah is a good person. So then I don’t have to worry so much. He’s got the right people in play to kind of gear him and guide him along the way.”
Alicia Edwards, a nurse, didn’t let her son play football originally growing up due to the injury and health risks. He started with basketball.
But not long after she finally allowed him to play in fifth grade, it became clear to her Edwards had talent that needed to be further developed.
He’s grown into a four-star prospect, one of the top in Syracuse’s incoming class of 2024, and has garnered plenty of excitement from Orange fans for his physical attributes and football potential.
His desire to integrate himself into the wider community beyond the SU campus is earning him even more fans.
Lekia Hill, who connected with Alicia Edwards to get the ball rolling on Edwards’ charity work in Syracuse through a mutual acquaintance, sees Edwards — and Brown — as catalysts to help bring “the hill to the hood” and continue forging stronger ties between SU and the Salt City community.
She emphasized how special and important it is that Edwards makes a priority of giving back to his communities, putting his own money and time into his nonprofit work. He was hands-on in the whole process of Saturday’s event and putting together the personal care kits with toiletries from the drive.
It’s no accident Edwards landed at Syracuse — Robinson said Edwards is exactly the type of young man he and Brown are recruiting.
“We’re not just looking for talent, we’re looking for the whole person,” Robinson said. “Great character, obviously great athletic skills, but we want people who are gonna impact the community and represent the community the right way.”
Robinson said his and Brown’s drive to help the communities they coach in comes in part from growing up in the inner-city, where they were blessed to have people help them. Now they feel it’s their responsibility to do the same.
Edwards will join his new teammates for their first offseason workout Monday, starting a new era of Syracuse football both on and off the field.
Those interested in staying up to date on how he’s giving back in Syracuse and supporting him can find info on the Helping Hand & More website or Edwards’ social media.
“The football team will be good, they’ll be great,” Alicia Edwards said. “But if we can continue to uplift and inspire the community, that’ll make it even better.”
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