Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez announces a new nationwide bill inspired by New York's 'Mel's Law', which grants posthumous degrees to students who die before completing their coursework. The bill honors Melquain Jatelle Anderson, a John Jay College student killed in Brooklyn.
Amsterdam News has been reporting the news of the day from a Black perspective for 113 years. Donors who choose to give monthly or annually will receive Amsterdam News’ Weekly E-Edition and acclaimed weekday newsletter Editorially Black to their inbox!An anti- gun violence supporter displays a copy of Melquain Jatelle Anderson’s college degree while standing alongside Michelle Barnes-Anderson, Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes, Rep. Nydia M.
Though Mel’s life was cut short, his mother, Michelle Barnes-Anderson, and his aunts, Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes and Khadedra Miller, fought to create legislation to honor his legacy. In New York state, Mel’s Law was introduced by Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest and Senator Jabari Brisport and signed into law in 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul. The law requires SUNY and CUNY schools to have an established posthumous degree policy.
“The day that I woke up and I went to go get his degree, I just heard a song singing,” she said. “It felt so good, and I thought, other mothers should have that — they have to have that because we should not have to look at the death certificate , we need to look at their degree because that’s their legacy. Their legacy is supposed to be there for their family, for their children, for their descendants to follow.
Federal Bill Posthumous Degrees Gun Violence Mel’S Law Racial Equity
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