Shawn J. Stradford, Stradford Funeral Home for Funerals and Cremations, Inc.
By Dominic Provenzano, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Shawn J. Stradford, President and CEO of West Brighton’s Stradford Funeral Home for Funerals and Cremations, Inc. is engaged in a perpetual tug-of-war. During one part of his day, Stradford holds the dignified, passionate, and solemn duty of caring for the deceased. In the other, he works to prevent deaths from ever occurring.
Stradford attended SUNY-Farmingdale and studied veterinary science before transferring to The University of the District of Columbia (UDC). He graduated UDC with a Mortuary Science degree, with Honors.
Early in his career, Stradford worked forensic pathology assistant for the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office (NCME), becoming only the second African American ever appointed to the office. Years later, Stradford encountered a tragic case involving a severely abused child. The case disturbed him, and he saw it as a sign to move on and start something new.
“I am a religious person, and I knew at that point that God was preparing me for His next plan. In my heart, God spoke to me and revealed my next assignment by telling me, ‘This is not all that I have for you. There is so much more to do,’” says Stratford. “I submitted my resignation documents, remained at NCME for three more months, and in 2000, I came to Staten Island to open up.”
24 years later, Stradford and his team have served thousands of families, often assisting those that can’t afford to hold services for their loved ones. “Looking back at it now, more than 20 years later, I ran a marathon of sacrifice and pain, but the reward of standing with a family during a dark time in their lives is absolutely priceless and will forever be cherished,” reminisces Stradford. “These years have yielded such fulfillment for me, my family, the families I’ve been honored to serve, and my community.”
However, Stradford’s work in the funeral industry is just the beginning. As he and his team care for the deceased and their grieving families, Stradford works in the community to prevent more deaths due to street violence.
Stradford is a founding member of Occupy the Block, a group aimed at deterring gun violence and street crime on the North Shore of Staten Island. During periods when violence is most likely to occur, Stradford and Occupy the Block – in collaboration with the NYPD - will “hold court” in dangerous areas, creating a safe space for the duration of their stay. The group offers free food, outreach materials, job opportunities, counseling, and friendly conversation.
The organization is known for its candor: Stradford often shows up to Occupy the Block events with a hearse and coffin. “We must do something to keep kids’ lives from getting snuffed out before they even start,” emphasizes Stradford. “While I can’t be their parent, I can show them what the result of violence looks like. Kids think that nothing can happen to them, that they will live forever. I show them, no, you’re going to end up right here.”
Following outreach days, the group will stay in touch with participants and offer mentorship services and connections to schools. In Stradford’s eyes, violence can only be curbed by viable alternatives. “Someone must come out and say, ‘I care, and I’m here,’” says Stradford. “You can’t just tell individuals to put their guns down. Nancy Reagan said, ‘Say no to drugs,’ which is fine – but what do you say yes to? You have to give folks a reason.”
Stradford and Occupy the Block utilize decades of combined experience, expertise, and contacts to help break cycles. Pulling from relationships in the business, education, nonprofit, and law enforcement communities, the team has built a web of support that makes a profound, transformational, and long-lasting effect on the people that they serve.
“These people have been pushed false promises for a while,” emphasizes Stradford. “We are trying to break the cycle. We bring out people that can actually give them jobs, which gets them off the street with a purpose.”
Looking ahead – and following the COVID-19 pandemic - Stradford envisions significant challenges ahead. In particular, Stradford believes that the organization will evolve to address and raise awareness of the importance of mental health. In the face of new challenges, Stradford remains undeterred.
“I think about retiring one day, and maybe spending some time on a golf course,” envisions Stradford. “But community work is never over. It’s a never-ending battle. I’m going to do all I can while I can, and then hopefully I can enjoy the fruits of my labor. The ultimate plan-maker is God upstairs, but that’s my goal.”