Assembly Resolution No. 395

BY: M. of A. Zinerman

CELEBRATING the life of James E. Caldwell,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of James E. Caldwell, an extraordinary
gentleman of the utmost faith and dedication whose purposeful life will
long serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell died on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at the
age of 69; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell was born in 1951, the son of
sharecroppers in Newbury County, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell was always drawn to be in service to the
community in which he lived; he attended high school in Park Slope,
Brooklyn while working as a grocery bagger and bike messenger and later
attended New York Community College; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army for six years before being honorably discharged;
and

WHEREAS, In service to his fellow veterans, James E. Caldwell served
as Chairperson for the Ryerson Street Veterans in 1994, leading the
national advocacy movement which successfully prevented the loss of
vital services to over 3,000 Black and Latinx Veterans in Downtown
Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, James E. Caldwell served as President of the 77th Precinct
Community Council until his passing, during which time he built strong
relationships with his community, business owners, faith leaders and
legislators; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, under the luminous direction of James E.
Caldwell, the 77th Precinct Community Council earned its reputation as
one of the most engaged and productive community councils in New York
City; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell founded the Little Peoples' Movement for
Change in Brooklyn in 2015 to fight for his community's economic
empowerment, educational development, social awareness and spiritual
growth; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he served as President and CEO of Brooklyn
United for Innovative Local Development (BUILD) for nine years,
assisting many Brooklyn residents to receive training and employment
through numerous BUILD Programs; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of James E. Caldwell, BUILD
provided pivotal, and at times, controversial support to developers in

the construction of the Barclay's Center, opened in 2012, which provides
employment to many community members; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell served as the Board Chairperson for the
North Crown Heights Family Outreach Center (NCHFOC), helping many people
in his community suffering from alcohol and drug addiction; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell also served as President of the Brooklyn
House Community Relations Board, assisting men and women recently
released from incarceration integrate back into society; and

WHEREAS, James E. Caldwell was presented with an Honorary Doctorate
degree in Humanities as conferred by the Anointed by God Ministries for
his dedication to the service of his community; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and irrepressible desire to
serve others, James E. Caldwell leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of James E. Caldwell, 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 James E. Caldwell.