Help Me Heal So I Can Continue Serving My Community

My name is Clyde Mayberry, and for years I've dedicated my life to serving Madison's Black and Brown communities through youth development, violence prevention, and community organizing. Whether I'm teaching movement classes, mentoring young people, or standing on the frontlines advocating for justice, my mission has always been to protect and uplift others.

Today, I found myself needing that same support.

While volunteering at the Corey Ruiz memorial site, I was involved in a traumatic incident after an individual approached our group yelling racial and homophobic slurs. According to my experience, the situation quickly escalated into a physical assault involving volunteers, members of the unhoused community, de-escalation team members, and organizers. Memorial items honoring Corey Ruiz were also damaged during the incident.

Our team did everything we could to de-escalate the situation peacefully. We remained committed to protecting everyone present while practicing the same restraint and humanity that we continue to ask from law enforcement. The individual was ultimately detained through a citizen's arrest until the Madison Police Department arrived.

Although we prevented the situation from becoming even worse, I did not walk away uninjured.

As a result of the incident, I am struggling to walk and believe I may have re-injured my meniscus. As an urban movement instructor and nonprofit leader, my body is essential to the work I do every day. Right now, I am unable to teach at full capacity, and that directly impacts both my income and the youth who depend on me.

In recent weeks, I have also experienced ongoing threats related to my organizing work. Today's events have made it clear that protecting those who stand on the frontlines comes at a real cost.

I'm asking for your support to help cover:

Medical evaluations, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Lost income while I recover.

Hiring additional movement instructors so our youth programs can continue uninterrupted.

Additional safety and security measures for myself and fellow organizers while we continue serving the community.

This work has never been about me. It has always been about building a safer, stronger community for our young people and demanding justice for families who deserve to be heard.

If you've ever believed in the work I've done, stood beside me, or simply believe that those who serve their communities shouldn't have to carry these burdens alone, I humbly ask for your support.

If you're unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser means just as much.

Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your continued belief in justice, healing, and community.

With gratitude,

Clyde Mayberry