Jesse L. Kearney Jr. ’97

Jesse L. Kearney Jr. ’97 passed away on March 6 in Newark, New Jersey, after undergoing emergency surgery following a sudden brain bleed in January. Born September 2, 1975, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Jesse was a lifelong learner who believed in the power of education to contribute to society. A senior fellow and member of Casque & Gauntlet at Dartmouth, Jesse earned degrees from New York Law School and New York University’s musical theater M.F.A. writing program. Jesse became an award-winning playwright and served as president of Prospect Theater Company and vice president of Black Broadway Men United. Ben Sweetser ’97—who attended Jesse’s memorial service at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City with Taja-Nia Henderson ’97, Carla Rogers-Henry ’97, Lloyd Fass ’97, and Saadiah Fowlkes ’97—wrote: “I’m reminded of all the times I visited the N.Y.C. metro area for work, and Jesse was always there with a smile and a show. From plays he had a hand in to musical reviews to an NPR Planet Money podcast where they recorded a musical for a comic book. We’d finish the night with a meal, usually at Joe Allen, and a walk around the city. I’m going to miss you and your creative, kind spirit so much, my friend.” Joseph Curtis ’97 attend Jesse’s memorial service in Portsmouth and wrote: “I’m proud to say that Dartmouth was represented. Jesse is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn, daughters Cecilia and Loretta, and mother Shirley.