Street Renamed Near South Beach Houses for Longtime RA President
A street outside of South Beach Houses in Staten Island was recently co-named Scherisce M. Lewis-Clinton Way in honor of the development’s longtime resident association president who passed away in 2022. On March 8, Ms. Lewis-Clinton’s family, friends, community members, and elected officials gathered at McClean and Norway Avenues to honor her life and work with a renaming ceremony.
Ms. Lewis-Clinton became president of the South Beach Houses Resident Association in 2002, holding the position until she passed away. She previously served on the board as a member since 1994. In addition to being the resident association president, Ms. Lewis-Clinton was the owner of Sherri’s Kitchen, a soul food restaurant in the St. George section of Staten Island.
Her daughter Shanee Lewis remembered how their South Beach Houses apartment was open to anyone in need: “Everyone’s problems in the community were hers. She lived her life for me and my sister and her community. Even before she opened the restaurant, she wanted to know who didn’t have food, who didn’t have lights, who needed clothes, who needed housing. Her tenants were everything to her and they could call her 24 hours a day. Her phone literally rang all night.” Ms. Lewis said the restaurant is temporarily closed and will re-open in a new location soon.
“My mother did a lot for South Beach, and I appreciate that they did something that’s going to last forever,” Ms. Lewis said. “As a family, we appreciate it; it feels good to see the recognition of all of my mother’s work.”
Ms. Lewis and her mother’s husband Ernest Clinton worked with South Beach Resident Association President Rashida Reid and other members of the RA board to have the street renamed for Mrs. Lewis-Clinton.
“Being that I’m the president now, I know it can be a full-time job – you sacrifice time with your family, you spend your own money, and sometimes it can be a thankless job,” Ms. Reid said. “Ms. Lewis-Clinton being the president for more than 20 years accounted for something, and this street renaming shows that people appreciated the work she did. I’m glad people came out to support the family and the work that she did. The event was befitting.”
Ms. Reid said that the board worked with elected officials to have the street renamed, including New York City Council Member David Carr. Council Member Carr said: “People like Scherisce Lewis-Clinton are the bond that hold entire communities together. She kept watch over her community and listened to those around her with genuine compassion and care. Her actions and involvement in the borough, whether through the South Beach Houses or her businesses, were always carried out with the well-being of the neighborhood in mind as the sole focus. The world is better with people like her in it, and the loss of her presence amongst us is one felt by so many Staten Islanders. I hope this street renaming can enshrine a paragon of civic duty, kindheartedness, and neighborly love.”
Elected officials in attendance at the event included State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, City Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks, former State Senator Diane Savino, and representatives from Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon’s office.
Featured photo caption: The new street sign bearing Scherisce M. Lewis-Clinton’s name. Photo courtesy of Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon’s Office.