Tallahassee NAACP President Adner Marcelin, 37, died this week. The organization issued an announcement Friday.
Marcelin was a mainstay in Tallahassee’s legal, political, and advocacy scenes. He worked with civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Darryl Parks for more than a decade. He also ran for Tallahassee’s City Commission in 2022.
Former NAACP Tallahassee first vice president and now President Marlon Williams-Clark released a statement on behalf of the organization about Marcelin’s death.
“Adner was more than a leader—he was a servant, a visionary, and a friend to many. His absence will be deeply felt. On behalf of the NAACP Tallahassee Branch, we extend our deepest condolences to the Marcelin family and ask the community to keep them in your prayers,” Williams-Clark wrote.
Marcelin was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity through the Gamma Mu Lambda Chapter. His chapter also released a statement.
“Marcelin’s commitment to Alpha, our community, and the whole of Tallahassee can never be questioned. Please keep family, his line brothers, his friends and colleagues across the community in your prayers,” their statement read.
Several community leaders, elected officials and others took to social media to mourn Marcelin.
City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow wrote in a Facebook post that he was a friend to all and a force to be reckoned with.
"My heart breaks for everyone grieving today and for our city losing another champion way too soon," Matlow wrote.
State Representative Michele Rayner also posted a tribute to Facebook.
"This hurts but friend—thank you. Thank you for being you—selfless, giving, empowering, providing a read when necessary, and always you. I’m just grateful I was able to give you your flowers while you could smell them. I’m honored to call you friend and brother. I love you," she wrote.