About Tyler

Tyler Orrin McKenzie (T-Mac) was born in New York City on November 22, 1993. He grew up on Long Island, New York where he attended Milburn Elementary School in Baldwin; West Hollow Middle School, and Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills. Tyler graduated from Syracuse University in 2015 with a degree in Communications and Sports Management.

Professionally, Tyler was a Program Manager at SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity), where he indulged his passion of assisting young adults with their career and professional development. Although he wasn’t at SEO very long, he had a significant role in encouraging the President and CEO to give employees the Juneteenth holiday off. Tyler also held HR positions at BSE Global (The Brooklyn Nets Organization), Ralph Lauren and Prospect 33.

A sports fanatic, Tyler was particularly knowledgeable about basketball and football, and had an amazing photographic memory and could recall any players’ statistics. Tyler loved to hoop, he played in several basketball leagues and was a member of a Syracuse alumni basketball club. Second only to basketball, Tyler also enjoyed skiing with his family.

In addition to sports, Tyler loved entertaining. He hosted a podcast with a group of childhood friends called “Imaginary Players” which focused on young adult life. He organized an annual Christmas event which supported local black-owned businesses and included a month-long holiday drive in partnership with the Coalition for the Homeless and Providence House. Tyler dreamed of starting a sports agency that focused on athletes’ lives on and off the court. He would always talk about wanting to help athletes with building their brand, increasing their community engagement, and maintaining financial independence.

Tyler was a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Inc. initiated into Theta Xi chapter in 2014 at Syracuse University. He was a true credit to his chapter with his commitment to giving back to youth and uplifting his community. He was also an alum of the Nassau County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America (2011).

Tyler was always the life of the party, and his smile could light up a room. He was an empathetic gentle giant with a larger-than-life personality. He encouraged his friends to try new things, start new businesses, follow their passions, and believed in the art of the possible. He challenged others and himself to be their best version and to never give up hope.

Tyler was diagnosed with translocation renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) in 2016. When it progressed to stage 4 in 2020, he was a true warrior, remained in good spirits and fought until the end. He passed away on August 12, 2022, at the tender age of 28.

Before he passed, Tyler wanted to become an advocate for helping other young people navigate a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. He wanted to be someone’s community and share joy and laughter during a difficult journey.

In honor of Tyler, the Tyler McKenzie Memorial Fund (TMMF) was created to fulfill the goals Tyler dreamed of achieving.