A Brooklyn mother spent years trying to get her son the degree he wasn’t able to complete after falling victim to gun violence.  

It will soon be law for SUNY and CUNY schools to waive remaining credits for posthumous degrees awarded to students after death, thanks to Michelle Barnes-Anderson.  

“My child couldn’t be a lawyer but you know what I did as a mother? I made him a law,” said Barnes-Anderson.  

Michelle’s son, Melquain, was fatally shot in 2017 when he was short just a handful of credits from graduating. She struggled to get him his degree, and worked to get this law into action, lobbying with lawmakers. 

Barnes-Anderson celebrated with fellow mothers grieving their children on Wednesday, ensuring that the soon-to-be accomplishments of students gone too soon aren’t forgotten.