On Friday, family and friends of the late Dr. Derrick E. Griffith joined Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo to unveil a street sign to commemorate the legacy of the CUNY educator, who was tragically killed in the Amtrak train derailment in Pennsylvania in 2015.
"The permanent installation of the Dr. Derrick E. Griffith Way sign adjacent to the Medgar Evers College campus is symbolic of his unique ability to uplift and empower youth of all ages to pursue higher education and realize their full potential," said Cumbo.
Dr. Griffith's former students from the Bronx's CUNY Preparatory School, and members of the Medgar Evers College community and of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity joined Cumbo at the site of the newly-installed designated Dr. Derrick E. Griffith Way, at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Bedford Avenue.
"Derrick was a monumental figure at the college and was beloved by students, faculty and the administration. Having spent his entire adult life working to improve schools and living conditions for children in New York City, honoring his memory will serve to keep him memorialized in a community where he did so much good," said Dr. Rudy Crew, president of Medgar Evers College.
A lifelong mentor to urban youth, Dr. Griffith's career included multiple leadership posts at the CUNY Prep School, which he founded and was later renamed after him, Groundwork and Medgar Evers College, where he first served as assistant provost to then became the acting dean of student affairs and enrollment management.
State Senator Jesse Hamilton concluded, "Let us all aspire to serve each other in the way Dr. Griffith's life exemplifies. I hope that through this honor, we are able to provide some measure of comfort on behalf of our fellow New Yorkers to Dr. Griffith's family and friends."
Dr. Griffith is survived by his mother Carlea and son Darryus.
