Are you a seeker?
A seeker is someone who has a natural curiosity about the larger questions of existence, which can develop into a deep yearning to understand the unknown. Sometimes one’s curiosity is awakened by an unexplainable event. Or maybe they have always been drawn to topics related to the paranormal and spirituality.
Regardless of what might have sparked their initial curiosity, seekers are driven to read, watch, listen, and understand the unexplainable. They have a sneaking suspicion that what’s been considered “impossible” and “unknowable” might indeed be possible and knowable. As they embark on this internal and external journey, seekers are often motivated to engage in meaningful conversation with other likeminded individuals. Hence the formation of CNY Seekers.
We are a nonprofit organization formed with the intention to support those experiencing the unexplainable by providing a safe space to come and share their story. We aim to provide a space where people can feel heard and validated and find community. We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we are probably asking similar questions. So why not join forces and see what we can learn together?
Our Mission
To create spaces and opportunities where people feel safe to ask questions, share experiences, and learn about “unknown” phenomena. This includes but is not limited to: UFOs, UAPs, psi phenomena, ghosts, and other topics related to consciousness and the paranormal. We welcome experiencers and individuals who share a genuine curiosity and desire to connect with others about these topics.
Our Values
We value nuanced thinking, healthy skepticism, and genuine scientific inquiry.
We believe that personal experience is a valid source of information.
We value the power of storytelling. We appreciate the opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences.
We value open mindedness. We approach one another with a holistic mindset. We each come to the table with a rich personal history and deserve the benefit of the doubt.
We value the sovereignty that each individual holds over their personally held beliefs. We also recognize that one’s beliefs can evolve over time.
We respect the various ways our beliefs and ideas may be aligned and/or differ from one another, depending on the topic.
We value kindness and compassion. We understand the vulnerability that comes with sharing personal beliefs and experiences, especially ones that might have been intense, confusing, and/or traumatic.
We value the opportunity to “think out loud” and appreciate a good “sounding board” discussion. We understand that half formed ideas about the phenomena have value and may benefit from input generated in a safe and supportive environment.
We value confidentiality and discretion. We acknowledge that the vulnerability inherent in sharing “unexplainable” experiences is exacerbated when discussing experiences that have previously been treated as “improbable” or “impossible.”
We acknowledge the courage it takes to share one’s beliefs and experiences, even if it pushes against conventional ideas regarding what’s possible. We recognize that social stigmas surrounding these topics exist. We each must decide for ourselves where to draw the lines that separate belief, possibility, and the impossible, while simultaneously weighing the risk of becoming associated with beliefs and experiences that have been historically stigmatized.
CNY Seekers doesn’t claim or pretend to have the answers.
Our focus is on inquiry, discussion, investigation, exploration, and connecting with likeminded individuals who share an interest in unexplainable phenomena.
Our Story
CNY Seekers is what happens when four individuals from the Syracuse area join forces based on a shared interest in unknown phenomena. Paul Roe, Matthew Kelly, Dr. Diana Brown, and Amy Messersmith come to the table with personal experiences and/or are driven by a passionate curiosity and desire to support those experiencing unknown phenomena. The goal is to build a community where fellow seekers can discuss and explore topics such as UFOs and UAPs, non-human intelligence, consciousness, psi phenomena, the paranormal, and other adjacent topics. We don’t claim to be experts or have the answers, and we acknowledge how muddy the waters can be surrounding these topics. Instead, we are about connecting with other seekers who are asking similar questions. We promote a safe and open environment where each individual is responsible for developing their own conclusions.
It started with a grassroots effort by Paul Roe to start a local UAP group in Syracuse, New York. Paul is a world renowned tattoo artist who set up shop in a refurbished brownstone on James Street. Paul is a lifelong experiencer who is open to the possibility of unknown phenomena while remaining grounded in a scientific approach. Recent events related to disclosure motivated Paul to look into starting a local UAP group. So on December 21, 2025, Paul went on the Syracuse subreddit and asked “Does Syracuse have a UFO group…?”
Interested in getting such a group off the ground, Matthew Kelly reached out to Paul and offered his support to start such a group in the Syracuse area. As a lifelong experiencer, Matt was compelled to support Paul’s cause. Due to his professional background in human services, Matt is also a trained group facilitator. Together, Paul and Matt started collaborating on the best way to approach starting a local UAP/UFO group.
A month later on January 27, 2026, the first Syracuse Circle meeting took place at Unity Church in the Valley. It was well attended by a diverse group of people from the surrounding community with a shared interest in UFOs and UAPs. Syracuse Circle now meets monthly and Paul and Matt volunteer their time to lead community discussions open to anyone interested in UFOs and UAPs.
From the beginning, Dr. Diana Brown was a strong supporter of the group and regular Syracuse Circle attendee. Dr. Brown has a doctorate in Religious Studies from Syracuse University. Her academic background makes her a valuable consultant on various aspects of the phenomena. She has also provides insight as a witness to certain local phenomena.
Another regular attendee of Syracuse Circle was Amy Messersmith. Amy had always been fascinated with spirituality and the paranormal growing up, but her interest started intensifying in 2024. By 2025 she had fallen down the UFO rabbit hole and deeply wanted to find a community. In August 2025, she even went so far as to take the first steps to start a group called “CNY Seekers” with the hope that “If you build it, they will come.” However, after securing the domain and starting the website, something told her to “hit pause” and she shelved the project for the time being. Four months later when she saw Paul’s post on Reddit, she reached out with a message of enthusiasm and became a regular attendee of Syracuse Circle moving forward.
By June 2026, Paul, Matt, Diana, and Amy had established a trust and shared understanding that they were committed to the mission of building a local UAP community. Understanding the group’s potential, Amy approached the others about the possibility of forming a nonprofit. The monthly Syracuse Circle meetings would continue to be the foundation of the organization. But establishing a nonprofit would open up the possibility of applying for funding streams to do things like a speaker series, field trips, and other activities related to the exploration of “unknown” phenomena. She also shared her love of podcasting and how the group could leverage the power of storytelling as a means to educate and build connections.
Paul, Matt, Diana, and Amy now form the Board of CNY Seekers. Each person brings their own set of interests and skillset to the table, but share a collective desire to be a part of a community of seekers. We are excited to pool our energy, resources, and talents into this organization that builds community and offers support regarding UFO/UAP related topics and other “unexplainable” phenomena.