Stamford Mayor, NAACP Branch President Deliver Masks To Families

STAMFORD, CT — On Monday, Mayor David Martin and Stamford's NAACP Branch President Guy Fortt delivered masks to an apartment building located on Perry Street. The building was previously home to Jack Bryant, a former NAACP branch president and member of the city's borad of education who died last week from complications related to the new coronavirus.

The delivery is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to provide masks and information to populations most affected by the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, according to an announcement from city officials.

"Stopping the spread of this virus requires working with community leaders to make sure all of our residents understand the risks and know how to protect themselves," Martin said in a statement. "I am very grateful of the work done by Stamford's NAACP and for President Guy Fortt's commitment to our community."

According to city officials, Stamford's NAACP branch has independently raised thousands of dollars to purchase masks for "communities most impacted by the spread of COVID-19." The branch's model for fundraising and distributing masks and information has even been adopted by the national NAACP, officials said.

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The organization's efforts are part of the city's ongoing initiative to provide masks and information packets to residents in an effort to combat the spread of the virus in Stamford.

"Families in apartments are at higher risk because there are more people sharing a tighter space," Fortt said in a statement, "we want them to know what they can do to stay healthy and keep their loved ones safe."

The news of Bryant's death was announced Thursday by Mayor David Martin, who referred to Bryant as an "incredible community leader" who helped shape Stamford's culture for the better.

"I worked closely with [Bryant] even before I was elected mayor, when he was president of Stamford's chapter of the NAACP," Martin said in a statement. "Jack possessed a deep knowledge of Stamford, an unwavering commitment to our community, and a strong love for the people of our city. Jack was passionate about his views, and he knew how to guide the discourse on important issues while keeping our community whole. He sought to add to our city and make it better, even on contentious issues."

Bryant was elected to the board of education in November, winning out over Eva Maldonado to fill a one-year vacancy on the board.

"I have always considered Jack a person of absolute integrity, fearless conviction and unyielding in his principles," Martin said. "It is for these reasons he was a leader for the NAACP, an influential minister and a new board of education member following last year's election. I am honored to consider Jack a friend, and I am devastated by his death. I share my condolences with his family and with the many other people in Stamford who are undoubtedly shaken by this news."

See also: Stamford Coronavirus Updates: Board Of Ed Member Dies From Virus

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COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.