Locksley’s Story
Carlton Locksley Bennett, or “Locksley,” as he was affectionately called, was born to loving parents on March 8th, 1976, in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica West Indies. He was a happy, energetic, and athletic child who attended Glenmuir Prep School and dreamed of playing soccer and becoming an Engineer, just like his father.
In December of 1988, Locksley and his sister immigrated to the United States to live with his mother and younger brother. In Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from George Gershwin Junior High School and went on to attend Canarsie High School, where he successfully landed a spot on the Canarsie Chiefs’ soccer team. Locksley was a distinguished and outstanding player, and as the goalkeeper during the 1992-1993 season, helped the Chiefs bring home a championship title.
On February 6, 1993, Locksley’s dreams were tragically cut short. While on a visit to family in the Bronx, Locksley was robbed of the gold chain he wore around his neck and was cruelly gunned down.
Locksley was a loving, funny, and affectionate sixteen-year-old, adored by his peers and family members. He greeted everyone with a genuine smile that put friends and strangers at ease in his presence. His untimely death tore an irreparable hole in the hearts of everyone he touched, but especially his family, friends, and community members who had loved him unconditionally. All who had been fortunate enough to experience Locksley’s kindness and infectious smile feel this loss deeply and permanently.
Though senseless and savage, this heartbreaking story of gun violence is unfortunately not unique, considering the prevalence of gun violence and urban crime throughout America. Driven by an insatiable desire to create meaning and purpose from this devastating loss, Locksley’s mother Maxine created the Carlton Locksley Bennett Foundation in 2009 to honor his memory and support the lives of other young people who have been affected by urban violence.
The Carlton Locksley Bennett Foundation is a celebration of life: of all the ways Locksley loved life and was loved by others in his sixteen years on Earth. His legacy lives on in all the students whose lives are expanded and enriched through CLBF’s programs, and all the families and communities who are spared the pain of losing a loved one to urban violence through CLBF’s preventative efforts.
OUR STORY
To continue Locksley’s lifelong dream of becoming an Engineer. For students affected by urban violence and/or who have experienced violence from firearms. Scholarships will be awarded for tuitions, books clothing, school uniforms, school supplies and, vouchers provided for groceries.
“To many, Locksley was a humorous, loving and affectionate 16 year old, loved unconditionally by his peers, acquaintances as well as family members.”
CLBF PACT Program Contact:
Deborah Washington
Program Advisor
347-446-9040
Our Mission
Saving Lives Through Education
In remembrance of Locksley’s lifelong dream of becoming an engineer, CLBF pledges to support students affected by gun violence or violent crime, as well as students who are at risk of dropping out of school due to other existing personal challenges. For these students, scholarships will be awarded for tuition, books, clothing, school uniforms, school supplies, and vouchers will also be provided for groceries.
The Carlton Locksley Bennett Foundation Inc. (CLBF) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that recognizes the importance of education in helping to enable and empower at-risk students to lead more productive lives.
CLBF believes that no student should have their dreams of a career or their right to an education destroyed by violence or impeded by other personal or financial hardships. Although Locksley’s dreams were sadly unfulfilled, his legacy lives on in each student who is able to successfully achieve their educational and professional goals thanks to the support of CLBF.