Marlon Rice was born on June 8, 1975 at Downstate Medical Center in Flatbush. The oldest of three children, Marlon was raised at the North end of Crown Heights, near the border of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. His stepfather, McKinley Reaves-Bey, was a 25-year veteran of the New York Police Department. His maternal grandmother, Mary Morgan, worked on campaigns for many of Central Brooklyn’s local electeds. Community stalwarts such as Rev. Gardner C. Taylor, Hon. Al Vann, and Jitu Weusi provided direct inspirational examples of community service and empowerment that helped to shape Marlon’s childhood.
After graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School, Marlon enrolled in Morgan State University to study Telecommunications. Even as a young student, Marlon understood the importance of bringing people together. From as early as 13 years old, he could routinely be found organizing at protests and other community events. Marlon is a child of the Hip Hop culture, and he spent his early adulthood contributing to the culture in various ways: being an emcee, working in marketing and promotions, producing events, and appearing as a model in print and digital advertising.
In 2008, while working as the Director of Special Events for the New York Society for Ethical Culture, Marlon made the commitment to be of support to the schools in the community. He started the EGOS Afterschool Program at Brighter Choices Community School, and for 15 years after, while still working in his industry as an Event Producer/Programmer, Marlon wrote and executed curriculum as a DOE vendor. Marlon is the Creator and Lead Instructor of First Voice, a writing workshop that introduces elementary school students to creative expression. He is also the Creator and Lead Instructor of The Magnolia Initiative, a curriculum geared toward urban agriculture and ecology through the education of hydroponics.
Marlon is a published author, former Lead Columnist for Our Time Press and former Culture Editor for Heart and Soul Magazine. He has been a contributing writer for numerous blogs, and his byline has appeared in GQ, Amsterdam News, XXL and The Source. Marlon is the consummate curator of outdoor programming in Central Brooklyn. Through his company, Good People NYC, he has curated event programming for the Mayor’s Office Hip Hop Initiative and for community institutions such as the NAACP, Bridge Street Development Corp., and the Katmint Learning Initiative.
