“Grieve not for me.  Remember the best times, the laughter and the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. ”It is said that life binds the living and death releases the spirit forever. The spirit of Troy Keith entered this world on December 1, 1995, in Staten Island, N.Y., and was forever released on August 10, 2019. Troy was born to Paul Keith and Pamela Le’Mon-Keith.  They are survived by their mother and brother, William Le’Mon-Blocker.

     Troy attended the State University of New York at Geneseo and graduated in the class of 2018. While studying to obtain their Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology they engaged in social activism. Throughout their college experience Troy held positions in multiple student organizations. They were the Public Relations Liaison and later Co-President of Students Against Injustice. They rose to Vice President of Pride Alliance. With Troy in mind, the college created the position of Social Justice Student Connector and allowed them to develop a curriculum that fostered positive connections between faculty and students of color. As a Safe Zone Trainer, they trained campus administrators and students each semester to increase awareness and acceptance of sexually diverse students. Troy was dedicated to promoting the well-being of LGBTQ+ community on and off campus. As Chant Leader and speaker of Geneseo Black Lives Matter and Geneseo Can’t Breathe, Troy created posters and joined others in protesting the deaths of Black men in the United States. It is with these forays into social justice that Troy became a source of understanding, comfort and kindness to the students under their care as a Resident Assistance. Troy’s work and social activism led to them being recognized and awarded with such accolades as the Fasal Alam Young Leaders Award, WGST Harriet Tubman Activism/Leadership Award and the SUNY Geneseo Diversity and Inclusion Award. Troy was formally recognized on the floor of the New York Senate in 2014. Troy entered graduate studies in August 2018, at the State University of New York at Albany with a focus in Cultural Anthropology. They maintained the same level of excellence which they previously enjoyed. Troy touched the lives of many students in their work as a Substitute Teacher at Hackett Middle School.

    In the very near future we will see a person with brilliant eyes and we will think of Troy.  A person will come along with a breathtaking smile, which causes us to pause, to take a second look, and we will think of Troy.  A person will sing a song, that instantly brings to mind, the soul of Jennifer Hudson, and we will hear the sound of Troy.  A person will laugh, their throaty laugh, and we will hear the sound of Troy. In the very near future we will see a person take a stand to advocate for others and we will think of Troy. A person will come along who speaks the language of change and we will think of Troy. A person will talk to those in power, to ensure change for a better tomorrow, and we will think of Troy. A person will chant, a freedom chant, and we will think of Troy. In the very near future we will see a person move a mountain to end racial discrimination on their college campus and we will think of Troy. A person will come along and demand that faculty are taught the “Souls of Black Folks” and we will think of Troy.  A person will teach the zone of safety for LGBTQ Folks and we will think of Troy. When you see this person in all their brilliance you will think of Troy.