Senate Resolution No. 694
BY: Senator SALAZAR
MOURNING the death of Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr.,
dedicated human rights advocate, distinguished
citizen, and devoted member of his community
WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was one
such individual; and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr., noting
the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr., a loving husband, nurturing
father, and doting grandfather, died on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the
age of 61; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was born on December 15, 1961, in
Brooklyn, New York, to the late Reverend Marvin E. Mayfield, Sr., and
Louise Frances (Moultrie) Mayfield; proud of his Bedford Stuyvesant
beginnings, he attended Edward R. Murrow High School before entering
into the United States Air Force; and
WHEREAS, His attendance and graduation from NYU's Prison Education
Program inspired him to share his life experiences and hopes for the
future; soon, thereafter, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. attended the
Justice-in-Education Initiative Scholars program of Columbia University;
and
WHEREAS, A committed and outspoken advocate for those who have been
imprisoned, mistreated and traumatized, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr.'s
personal experiences of criminalization and incarceration drove him to
build a movement to change unjust laws and policies; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was a civil and human rights
leader, a lover of people, dedicated and steadfast in his advocacy and
organizing, and brilliant and buoyant warrior for freedom and justice;
and
WHEREAS, From 2017 to 2019, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. helped lead the
fight for bail and discovery reform, changing laws in New York State
which spared thousands of people the horrors of pretrial incarceration,
allowing them to keep their jobs and homes and take care of their
children; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 2020, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. served as the
Director of Organizing at the Center for Community Alternatives,
building power with people across New York State who have been harmed by
mass incarceration, criminalization and community disinvestment; there,
he was integral to envisioning and launching "Communities Not Cages", a
sentencing reform campaign advancing nationally-leading legislation to
overhaul racist and unjust sentencing laws and help end mass
incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he helped lead the campaign for "Clean Slate"
to allow all New Yorkers to access jobs, housing, and education and
escape the shackles of perpetual punishment; and
WHEREAS, A freedom fighter who led with his heart, Marvin E.
Mayfield,Jr. galvanized people across New York State to end racist and
unjust sentencing laws, win a clean slate for people with conviction
records, support parole justice, and protect bail reform; he did this
with a deep and unwavering belief that the world can and will change,
and that it is our collective power and the leadership of impacted
people and families who will make that change real; anywhere people are
fighting for freedom and justice, Marvin's spirit is there; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was an active member and leader at
Woods Memorial AME Zion Church in the Bronx, New York; he served as
Trustee Board Chairman, local Lay Council President, and honorary member
of the Women's Home & Overseas Missionary Society; and
WHEREAS, With a strong work ethic, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was
constantly reinventing himself; he became employed at New York
Presbyterian Hospital in the Medical Records unit; at URS Corporation as
a marketing consultant; the River Room of Harlem restaurant as chef,
where he prepared cuisines typical of Harlem (Southern, Caribbean, Latin
and African); and was an Advocacy Assistant at The David Rothenberg
Center for Public Policy at The Fortune Society; and
WHEREAS, A truly multitalented man, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was a
roller-skater, barber, tailor, artist, singer, tech guru, and
self-taught musician; he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work
from New York University in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades, including Just Leadership USA's Larry Gilbert
Award, and the Jo Man's Black Wall Street Award from Black Wall Street
Harlem; he also received a public health award from William Paterson
University in honor of his dedication and commitment to criminal justice
reform; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the Center for Community Alternatives is
starting the Marvin Mayfield Organizing Fellowship in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. was predeceased by his father, the
late Reverend Marvin E. Mayfield, Sr.; his sister, Naomi; niece,
Jennifer; and sister-in-love, Chyann; he is survived by his wife, the
Reverend Edith R. Mayfield, who he loved fiercely, and a family he
cherished, including his mother, Louise F. Mayfield; mother-in-love,
Dolores Simmons, and fathers-in-loves, David Simmons and Lenwood Hicks;
three amazingly gifted young adult sons, Nicholas, Kevin and Timothy;
two grandchildren, Nyomi and Naliyah, along with two grandsons expected
later this year; two brothers, John and Laurence; sister, Carolyn; two
sisters-in-love, Aisha and Sherine; and a host of nieces, nephews,
loving aunts and cousins; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man;
he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr., and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Marvin E. Mayfield, Jr.