Humans of New Ro: Minister Mark McLean

By Annie Gombiner

“Growing up in New Rochele in the late 70s, my childhood was challenging, but fortunate. My parents separated when I was a kid, which was not very common for the time. Thankfully, a plethora of adults stepped up and helped my wonderful mother raise me. The adults in my life made me feel like I counted and that I had something to offer. My third grade teacher at the Stevenson school was Mr. Harrell. He was a big white guy from the South - the opposite of me. But, he was the first person who made me feel like I was actually smart. In seventh grade, I had Ms. Fuller, a Black woman with an afro. She was very business and taught me the importance of discipline. Freshman year, a Jewish guy, Mr. Hubsher taught my European history class. I was a gifted orator, but didn’t know how to translate my speaking skills into writing. By drawing me in and giving me encouragement, Mr. Hubsher taught me how to write a real essay - a skill I still use to this day to write speeches and sermons. I kept a relationship with each of those teachers until they made their transitions into eternity because they truly put their arms around me. They loved me. Every day, I try to emulate them and show love to my community members. As a Christian, how you treat the most vulnerable is a metric of your faith. I’ve mentored many young and old people through my position in my church and involvement in other community organizations. I also worked for a long time at NRHS doing security, so there’s many students that I took under my wing. Charity begins at home, and I want to see a renaissance of community here. New Rochelle cannot flourish if people try to exist on islands; we are all interconnected and need to act like that. A village raised me, and kids now deserve that same support. We have a responsibility to be our brother’s keeper and must intentionally break down walls.” 

- Minister Mark McLean