The Honorable Norman Strickland Early, Jr.

November 14, 1945 – May 5, 2022 (age 76)

Norman Strickland Early Jr., beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law, esteemed public official and lawyer, and fierce advocate for the rights of victims and the betterment of Black lawyers, transitioned on May 5, 2022, at the age of 76.

Norm was born on November 14, 1945, in the District of Columbia, to Norman Strickland Early, Sr. and Gloria Robinson Jackson. In Washington, D.C., he attended Paul Junior High School and Calvin Coolidge High School—class of 1963. As a student at Coolidge, he distinguished himself as both a scholar and athlete. He was a top college recruit in track and field, and his courses of study included Spanish, which he would continue to use during his trips to Spanish-speaking countries.

After graduating from high school, Norm attended American University (AU) where he earned a bachelor's degree in government and distinguished himself, again, as a student-athlete and campus leader. He was a member of AU's track team for all four of his college years. His coach, Jack Linden, modeled a racially integrated team environment and had no tolerance for racism. Norm competed in a variety of events including the triple jump, long jump, and relays. He still holds records at AU in both the triple jump, second all-time at 14.08 meters, and the long jump, first all-time at 7.04 meters. It was during his years at AU that Norm's passion for politics began, serving as President of his Sophomore Class (1964-1965) and as Vice President of the Student Association (1965-1966). He also was the first Black elected president of AU's student government (1966-1967). Norm won the 1966 election with 52% of the vote and established a campaign that called for the end to status quo type government and a reorganization of representation in student government based upon school enrollment and area of residence. Norm also honed his natural gift of oration at AU, winning the oral interpretation contests at the school's Speech Festival in 1964.

While in college, he joined the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, which was a welcoming all-white organization at the time. He established close relationships with his fraternity brothers, and these connections evolved into many lifelong friendships that supported Norm both professionally and personally.

After graduating from AU, Norm earned a law degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law. At Illinois, his love of competition and recreational sports continued, which expanded his diverse group of friendships. His law degree provided him with the opportunity to pursue a fellowship to assist under-resourced communities in Denver, Colorado. He was admitted to the bar in 1970 and worked for the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver as a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow (Reggie) . Norm continued to pursue his interest in politics, becoming the Colorado delegate for Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman to run for president.

Norm then joined the Denver District Attorney's Office in 1973 as a deputy district attorney under Dale Tooley, eventually becoming a Chief Deputy D.A. Norm distinguished himself as a highly-skilled trial attorney with a keen sense of fairness and justice, and he naturally became a mentor to his colleagues. After ten years in the office, he was appointed Denver District Attorney by Governor Dick Lamm in 1983, a position he held until 1993 after winning elections in 1984, 1988, and 1992. During his tenure as Denver D.A., he would write handwritten notes to his colleagues, affectionately called "Norm-a-Grams." Norm also worked hard to create the most diverse district attorney's office in the state, hiring lawyers and staff of color and various other identities as well. His leadership style facilitated numerous colleagues cultivating their gifts as leaders. His staff often ascended to city, state, and national positions, including (but not limited to) elected Denver District Attorney, the Governor of Colorado, Manager of Safety, equity partners at major law firms, and trailblazers in service of community. Norm was grateful to those with whom he worked, for both their incredible professional contributions and their friendships, and he consistently credited his team's efforts for the professional accomplishments in his life.

During his career, Norm helped establish and lead numerous organizations. One organization Norm championed was the National Organization for Victim Assistance. He served as the president of the organization, continuing his career-long legacy of fighting on behalf of victims' rights. These efforts led to him earning multiple awards throughout his life, including: the Justice Department award for unrelenting service on behalf of victims of crime, a government leadership award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving, and an Ending Violence Effectively award for his work in helping survivors of sexual abuse. Finally, the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance also named their highest honor "The Norm Early Exemplary Leadership Award."

In addition to becoming a champion of crime victims' rights, Norm was a co-founder of two premiere organizations that were dedicated to helping ensure the success of Black lawyers within the profession. First, noticing a lack of prosecutors of color around the country and the absence of an organization connecting them, he created a pathway to unite and advance Black prosecutors. He started calling offices around the country and compiled a list of 175 Black prosecutors, many of whom were from the Chicago area. Wanting to be a part of establishing an organization dedicated to connecting and supporting Black prosecutors, over one hundred individuals gathered in Chicago in 1983. After numerous meetings, the National Black Prosecutors Association was born with Norm becoming its first president. The organization is still committed to the mission to "uplift and engage the communities we serve through programs and outreach." Second, Norm co-founded the Sam Cary Bar Association, which is dedicated to advancing the careers of Black lawyers in Colorado. As an attorney in Colorado since 1970, he wanted to provide more Black lawyers with the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and thrive. Norm continued to support these organizations even after transitioning to the business world.

After running for Mayor of Denver and leaving the district attorney's office in 1993, Norm entered the business world forming the Criminal Justice Services line of business for Lockheed IMS. He also was a partner with BounceBack, Inc., a company that provides prosecutors and judges with software, education products, and services that support efficient, professional misdemeanor diversion, probation, and offender education programs including an automated bad check management software program.

Norm co-authored (with Danielle Young and illustrated by Brent Naughton) a book in 2000 entitled Step Ball: A child's book about feelings and differences . The book is about Norm's childhood experience playing a game called step ball with a white neighborhood boy who invented the game. The experience helped Norm realize, even as a young child, the realities of racial discrimination and the impact it has on relationships and friendships. This and other experiences of racial discrimination in his life helped make Norm a person accepting of all people, no matter their race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Later in his career, Norm made frequent appearances on national television as a legal analyst and maintained a full speaking schedule on topics relating to children, victims of crime, substance abuse treatment, trial tactics, and diversity and workforce enhancement. He also joined the Denver law firm of Welborn, Sullivan, Meck & Tooley as special counsel. In addition, enjoying bringing people together, he was a brilliant officiant at the weddings of his closest friends' children.

Although Norm was a public figure, he also treasured his time with those he loved: his family and friends. Whether it was at a community function, family gathering, sporting event, or household get-together, family and friends would surely experience one of Norm's bear hugs, huge smiles, and laughs that would bring joy to an entire room. Norm loved spending time with his son, Ali, during events through Slippers-N-Sliders (Denver's Black ski club) in particular. He also enjoyed going to Broncos games and school events with his son, Kendall. Both Ali and Kendall learned lessons from Norm that positively impacted their lives in many ways. His love for them and his entire family will always remain in their hearts.

Norm did not just tell you how much he cared about you, he showed you. He was a spirited supporter and cheerleader during youth sporting games and had a knack for creating nicknames for his sons and players that they still remember and laugh about to this day. Decades later, the impact of Norm's efforts as a public figure and family member continue to leave an indelible impact on the lives of all with whom he encountered.

As a father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and father-in-law, Norm was the patriarch of the family. His love of family was recognized throughout the community, and he was awarded "Father of the Year" by the Father's Day Council in 2007. While Norm will forever be missed, his family will always be grateful for the love he shared and the wonderful, defining memories he leaves behind. Norm was predeceased by his father, Norman Strickland Early, Sr.; his mother, Gloria Robinson Jackson; his stepfather, Ellsworth Jackson, Sr.; and his son, Norman Ali Early. He is survived by his son, Kendall Turner Early; three grandsons - Khalon Ali Early, Keon Ali Early, and Kalel Ali Early; daughter-in-law, Tené Anika Early; two sisters, Brenda (BJ) Flowers and Jan Early Mingo; and two brothers, Ellsworth (Jack) G. Jackson, Jr. and Edward (Eddie) Lee Early II. Norm is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends for whom he was grateful to have in his life.

Norm's celebration of life will be held at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, June 16, at 11:00 am. The event will be on the west side of the stadium. Guests should park in Lot J and enter through doors at Gate 2. We would like attendees to dress for a celebration. To keep all attendees as safe as possible, please stay home if you have tested positive for COVID and wear a mask if you have been in close contact. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the National Organization for Victim Assistance ( NOVA ) located at 510 King Street, Suite 220, Alexandria, VA 22314 and/or to the Sam Cary Bar Association located at P.O. Box 300205, Denver, CO 80203.