Tribute to a Lost Friend and Teacher - Michael Foster

Michael J. Foster, of NYC, died suddenly and unexpectedly of pneumonia on Thursday June 14, 2012 at the age of 34. Michael was a nationally recognized leader and activist with BMX (Black Men’s Exchange) working to enrich the lives and improve the health of same gender loving black men in the USA. Previously he was an Environmental Scientist and Environmental Policy Analyst where he served as the Biology Educator with the Youth Initiatives division of the Education department at the American Museum of Natural History. He created curriculum, designed courses, and taught in the areas of biodiversity conservation and ecology. In addition, Michael helped Museum scientists improve their mentoring skills and developed recruitment methods that reached increasing numbers of traditionally underrepresented students.


Michael’s research focused on uncovering the effects museum-based exhibit-focused science learning increased students’ confidence, science content knowledge, and cognitive skills. A gifted speaker, his research, presentations and expertise brought him to Taiwan, South Africa, and California where his work was recognized and celebrated by his peers.

Previously Michael was a Diversity Specialist working on American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Diversity in Science and Education Initiative. His work focused on recruiting and retention efforts of students from historically underrepresented groups (HUGs) in the conservation biology. He earned a M.S. in Environmental Policy from Bard Center for Environmental Policy and a M.S. degree in Marine-Estuary-Environmental Science at the Historically Black College, University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He was also awarded a prestigious Petrie Fellowship while attending Bard College.

His recent scholarly work focused on historically underrepresented groups (HUGs) in the sciences and science education. He has studied pancreatic cancer, high blood pressure, mosquito community ecology, and was interested in the intersection of biodiversity conservation and HIV/AIDS. Michael was also a founding Board Member for Volunteer Positive, the first organization in the world to support people living with HIV to be recognized as diplomats in the field of international volunteer service. 
Michael also worked with students from all over the world at the World Scholar Athletes Games under the support of the US Olympic Committee, writing and performing music he composed for their theater production and facilitating discussions about global issues. He was a counselor and teaching assistant for Upward Bound at Marist College, and volunteered at the Bronx Community Pride Center working with young people of color. 

Michael was a deep thinker and a community organizer. He loved to laugh, converse, learn, debate, and educate. He was a compassionate, open-minded person with a passionate devotion to social justice, social inclusion, human rights, community empowerment, and international service. He humbly and joyfully shared his talents, his gifts, and his vulnerabilities throughout his life while adhering to an explicit set of strong principles. Michael will be remembered for his selflessness, fearlessness, his gentle smile, boisterous laugh, and his ability to overcome insurmountable obstacles. As a friend put it, "Michael was his own person to the end -- deeply creative, joyously musical, ever curious, terribly funny and gentle to the core." 

He is survived by his family in Poughkeepsie, NY -- parents James and Constance Foster, his sister Michelle Evans and her husband Leon, nieces Miarra and Kayla, and nephews Stephon and Leon, many aunts, uncles and cousins, his BMX family of brothers, his close colleagues at the American Museum of Natural History and his chosen siblings of Durell Jones and Carlton Rounds.

A Michael J. Foster BMX Tribute from American Truth on Vimeo.