Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Rashad Montel McClaney Foundation was created to honor the legacy of Rashad Montel McClaney, whose untimely and tragic death shook his family and community on November 3, 2018. The Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth and young adults by providing the tools and skills needed to resolve conflicts peacefully. Through education in communication, negotiation, and mediation, the Foundation seeks to create safer and more compassionate communities—a mission that resonates with Rashad’s commitment to peace and service.

A Lasting Legacy

of Impact

Since its inception in 2019, the Rashad Montel McClaney Foundation has made a tangible impact. Over $25,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students pursuing education at community colleges or technical programs. Recently, the Foundation expanded its scholarship offerings by partnering with Troy University and Trenholm State Community College.

Additionally, the Foundation has hosted six local blood drives, collecting over 300 pints of blood—a life-saving contribution that reflects its broader mission of fostering health, safety, and support within the community.

A Heartbreaking

Tragedy

The Foundation’s origins are rooted in tragedy. Rashad, known for his kindness and compassion, lost his life while providing support to a friend in need. On the night of his death, Rashad was caring for a sick and vulnerable college student. A confrontation with her former boyfriend led to a series of events that tragically ended Rashad’s life. Despite being surrounded by others at the scene, no one acted to call 911 or summon emergency aid, leaving Rashad without the help he needed.

Advocating for Change: The Rashad Montel McClaney Act

In response to this devastating loss, the McClaney family has proposed the “Rashad Montel McClaney Act”, a vital amendment to Alabama’s manslaughter law. The proposed changes would address the failure to summon emergency assistance when someone is in clear medical distress.

Under the current Alabama Code §13A-6-3, manslaughter does not account for the reckless inaction of bystanders who fail to intervene. The proposed amendment seeks to hold individuals accountable when their failure to act results in loss of life. Specifically, it would include language requiring individuals to summon emergency aid or, at the very least, call 911 when someone in their care is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency.

Why This Matters

Bystander intervention has been shown to reduce fatalities in emergencies. States with Good Samaritan laws have seen overdose fatalities decrease by up to 15% (source: National Institutes of Health). With Alabama ranking 13th in the nation for overdose fatalities, this amendment could save countless lives and prevent tragedies like Rashad’s.

Rashad’s death could have been prevented had someone acted. His family’s mission is clear: to ensure that no other family endures such preventable heartbreak.

A Call to Action

The Rashad Montel McClaney Foundation invites the community to join this fight for justice and change. Sign the petition to support the “Rashad Montel McClaney Act” and advocate for a safer, more compassionate Alabama.

Please contact our legislators, Senator Josh Carnley (josh.carnley@alsenate.gov or 334-261-0845 ) and Representative Marcus Paramore (marcusforhouse@gmail.com or 334-261-0593) and ask for their sponsorship of this proposed bill.  It could help save your life or the life of someone you know and love!

Together, we can ensure that Rashad’s legacy lives on—not just through the work of the Foundation, but through meaningful legal reform that upholds the values he lived by.

The family extended a special thanks to the district attorney’s office, Alesha Poarch, Attorney Ternisha Jones and now Judge Jon Folmar, for their unwavering support during our their difficult time. For more information or to get involved, email rashadmcclaney.wintheday@gmail.com or (334) 3-4-5215. Let’s make this change for Rashad, for Alabama, and for a better tomorrow.