"MJAF, which offers emotional and financial support to families affected by gun violence, says "Disrupting the Hate Week" encourages everyone to challenge hate through creativity, art, and love. "After losing my only child, Melquain, I wanted to create something that helps our communities heal and stand united against gun and urban violence," states Michelle Barnes-Anderson, founder of MJAF. Her son Melquain was shot and killed while waiting for a bus outside of the Farragut Houses in Downtown Brooklyn in 2017. He was, at the time, a student at John Jay College."
""Disrupting Hate Week is a time when people can engage in the arts - whether through fashion, poetry, music, or any form of expression - to choose love over hate and unity over division." Mel's Law, enacted by the state of New York, requires SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges to establish procedures for students' families to obtain posthumous degrees. The law was signed on October 25, 2023, marking the sixth anniversary of Melquain's passing."
Disrupting the Hate Week runs Oct. 21–25 as MJAF's annual social media campaign promoting positivity, artistic expression, and community healing. MJAF provides emotional and financial support to families affected by gun violence and encourages challenging hate through creativity, art, and love. Michelle Barnes-Anderson founded MJAF after her son Melquain was shot and killed in 2017; his mother and aunts co-founded the nonprofit to honor his memory and inspire community transformation. The campaign invites participation through fashion, poetry, music, and other arts to choose love over hate. Mel's Law mandates procedures for posthumous degrees and inspired a related federal bill.
Read at New York Amsterdam News
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