The Caribbean community in New York is grieving the loss of Dr. John Flateau, an esteemed African-American educator described as a “cerebral giant, acclaimed educator, and dedicated public servant.” Dr. Flateau, formerly the dean at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College’s School of Business and Office of External Relations, passed away suddenly at the age of 73.
A longstanding professor in the Department of Public Administration and director of the Dubois Bunche Center for Public Policy, Dr. Flateau made significant contributions to the Crown Heights, Brooklyn college. Professor Emeritus Dr. Clinton Crawford, who joined the college alongside Dr. Flateau, highlighted his colleague’s early commitment to addressing the prison industrial complex and his instrumental role in founding the Ralph Bunche DuBois Center.
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Dr. Flateau’s passing leaves a void at Medgar Evers College, but his legacy endures through his invaluable contributions and works. Attorney Gregorio
Mayers, a Panamanian-born Associate Professor at MEC, shared a profound friendship and mentorship with Dr. Flateau since 1989, emphasizing his vision for empowering younger Black and Latino individuals in executive roles.
Dr. Zulema Blair, Chair of MEC’s Department of Public Administration, expressed gratitude for Dr. Flateau’s mentorship, describing him as a true warrior for Black Brooklyn and beyond. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams also mourned the loss of a brilliant strategist and community leader who played a pivotal role in Black political empowerment in Central Brooklyn.
New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn acknowledged Dr. Flateau’s impact on civil rights and the upliftment of Brooklyn, stating that his legacy will be felt for generations. Medgar Evers College paid tribute to Dr. Flateau as a lifelong learner who led by example, earning multiple advanced degrees and becoming a community pillar.
The passing of Dr. John Flateau marks the end of an era, leaving a lasting impact on the educational and political landscape of New York, particularly in the Caribbean community.
