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• 1. the best-documented people I could verify as being from Tompkins Houses are these:

     • Tracy Morgan — comedian and actor. NYCHA and Food Bank for NYC both identify Tompkins Houses as where he grew up. He became famous through comedy and television, especially Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, and later starred in The Last O.G.. 1
     • L. Londell McMillan — entertainment attorney, producer, publisher, and media executive. McMillan has said he grew up in Tompkins Houses. He became well known in the music and media world as a lawyer and entrepreneur, representing major artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, LL Cool J, and Spike Lee, and as publisher/owner of The Source. 2
     • Mark Breland — boxer. A 2019 PoliticsNY profile of Bed-Stuy community leader Henry Butler says Breland was one of Butler’s childhood friends who also grew up in Tompkins Houses. Breland became notable through boxing, especially after winning five New York Golden Gloves titles and the 1984 Olympic gold medal in boxing. 3
     • Ephraim Benton — actor, producer, writer, and director. NPR’s reporting on the Smithsonian/NYCHA project identified Benton as an actor who grew up in the Tompkins housing project in Brooklyn. He became known through acting work in projects including Law & Order and Precious, and he has also been recognized for film work and community outreach. 4