Jayden Zahir McLaurin (2007-2023) was a lifelong resident of the Ravenswood Houses, where his deep passion for basketball began. A talented athlete, he played for the Boys & Girls Club (CM3), Team Pro Reps, Martin Luther King High School, IS 204, and the 114th Precinct’s Saturday Night Lights program. As a sophomore at the Martin Luther King Jr. High School for Law, Advocacy, and Community Justice, Jayden was a resolute member of the bowling team and aspired to a future career as a realtor or an attorney. A natural leader and a pillar of his community, Jayden served as a vital bridge between local youth and older generations. He was known for his instinctual kindness, never hesitating to assist seniors or volunteering his time to organize community events. Tragically, Jayden’s life was killed while he was riding a Citi-bike in a hit-and-run accident in April 2023, leaving a profound void in the neighborhood he so vibrantly represented. In the wake of his passing, the Boys & Girls Club, local schools, the 114th Precinct, and the Ravenswood Community Center have honored his legacy through memorial events and basketball tournaments. His family remains a dedicated voice for change, organizing rallies for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to raise awareness about intersection safety and prevent future tragedies. On Saturday, March 9, 2024, Council Member Julie Won and the family of Jayden McLaurin held a street co-naming ceremony at 35th Avenue and 21st Street for the 16-year-old Ravenswood Houses resident at the intersection where he lived.