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Marcus Henderson Sr

Marcus Henderson Sr. was a Black American man from West Baltimore who adopted and raised his nephew, Marcus “MJ” Henderson Jr., with his wife, Sharon Henderson. After Marcus Sr.’s younger sister, Nadira, died in 2010, following MJ’s seventh birthday, Marcus Sr. and Sharon took him into kinship care immediately. They formally adopted him later that year.

Early Life and Family

Nadira was Marcus Sr.’s younger sister and MJ’s mother. After she died by suicide in 2010, following MJ’s seventh birthday, Marcus Sr. and Sharon found him sitting in the living room in a dissociative state and saying, “Mama’s gone.” They took him into kinship care immediately and formally adopted him later that year; the legal adoption added “Jr.” to the name of the boy whom the family had called MJ since infancy.

Marcus Sr. called MJ “baby boy” from childhood into adulthood. He recognized Nadira in MJ’s large dark eyes, gestures, gentleness, and capacity for love. Raising her son kept his grief close, while strengthening his determination that MJ receive the medical treatment and practical support she had not received. He and Sharon arranged therapy for MJ after Nadira’s death.

Personality and Communication

Marcus Sr. was patient, direct, and practical. He used concrete language with MJ, explained the reasons behind instructions, and repeated information without treating questions or memory difficulties as failures.

He approached self-care as a set of skills MJ could learn with support. He used words such as penis, testicles, and foreskin rather than euphemisms, and explained bodily changes and hygiene without treating them as shameful. He chose tools that reduced the risk of injury or sensory distress and made clear that asking for help was not shameful.

Care and Advocacy

When eleven-year-old MJ developed severe fatigue in summer 2014, he could sleep more than thirteen hours and still barely stay awake at breakfast. One morning, Marcus Sr. crouched beside his bed to coax him up for food, explaining that his body needed fuel as well as rest. At the table, MJ struggled to eat before his head began to droop again. After Dr. Morrison attributed the fatigue to MJ’s weight, Marcus Sr. and Sharon sought another physician and further testing. Marcus Sr. reminded MJ that he played basketball with his friends, that he was not lazy, and that doctors could be wrong or biased. He and Sharon trusted the change they had witnessed in their son rather than allowing the dismissal to define him.

That summer, Marcus Sr. laid out deodorant, body wash, lotion, and an electric shaver in its box while teaching MJ about puberty and daily hygiene. He connected washing to preventing rashes and infection, and moisturizing to preventing painfully dry, cracked skin. He told MJ that erections and wet dreams were normal, that his body belonged to him, and that he could tell an adult if anyone touched him inappropriately or made him uncomfortable. When MJ worried about remembering everything, Marcus Sr. assured him that he could ask questions later, as often as he needed. Sharon had bought MJ a vanilla-sugar body butter like the lotion she used herself; Marcus Sr. showed him how to warm a small amount between his hands and work it into his skin.

When MJ began growing facial hair, Marcus Sr. taught him to shave with an electric shaver fitted with a protective guard, guiding his hand at first. MJ learned to shave himself, but anxiety, shaking hands, difficult coordination, or sensory overload could make it hard on a particular day. When MJ asked, Marcus Sr. sat him down and shaved him gently, without treating the help as a failure of independence.

Having seen Nadira struggle without adequate treatment, Marcus Sr. and Sharon had remained alert to MJ’s mental health without assuming he would have the same outcome. During MJ’s June 2019 crisis, the similarities to Nadira’s bipolar illness intensified Marcus Sr.’s fear of losing him. He arrived after the main rooftop confrontation but before MJ was transported to the hospital. After MJ survived, received a diagnosis, and began treatment, Marcus Sr. and Sharon helped him manage recovery. Marcus Sr. joined Sharon at the hospital after the July 2019 Safeway episode and answered MJ’s repeated, confused questions about his injured shoulder and the firefighters. He, Sharon, and Jasmine also stayed at MJ’s bedside during his catatonic state in 2027.

Family and Core Relationships

Nadira Henderson

Nadira was Marcus Sr.’s younger sister. Her death remained an active grief in his life, and he saw her eyes and tenderness in MJ. Raising her son joined that grief to his role as a parent.

Sharon Henderson

Sharon was Marcus Sr.’s wife and partner in raising MJ. She often handled his daily physical care, while Marcus Sr. took the lead in teaching him male self-care and grooming. They shared those routines, medical advocacy, and emotional support according to what MJ needed.

Marcus “MJ” Henderson Jr.

Main article: Marcus Henderson and Marcus Henderson Sr

Marcus Sr. became MJ’s legal adoptive father in 2010, after MJ turned seven. Their relationship combined instruction, accommodation, affection, and the expectation that MJ could ask for clarification or assistance as often as necessary.

Memorable Quotes

“Doctors can be wrong. And doctors can have biases. He sees a big kid and assumes that’s the whole story. But we know you, baby boy. We know you ain’t lazy. We know something’s not right.” (Spoken to MJ after Dr. Morrison dismissed his severe fatigue in summer 2014.)

“Baby boy, you don’t gotta remember every single thing right this second. We’re just having the conversation now so you know it exists, so you know this is something we can talk about. Anytime you got a question—any time at all—you come ask me.” (Spoken to eleven-year-old MJ during summer 2014 self-care instruction.)

“You gotta wash thoroughly ‘cause bacteria can build up. Can cause infections, rashes, make things hurt. And you don’t like pain, right?” (Spoken while teaching MJ the reasons behind hygiene routines.)

“Slow circles, baby boy. Nice and easy. You got it.” (Spoken while teaching MJ to shave.)

“Some days are harder than others. If your hands are shaking or the feeling’s too much, you come find me. Ain’t no shame in asking.” (Spoken while teaching MJ to shave.)

“You can ask me anything, anytime, as many times as you need. I ain’t gonna be mad. That’s what I’m here for.” (Marcus Sr.’s recurring reassurance to MJ.)

“You can do this yourself when you’re able. And when you need help, I’m right here. Ain’t no shame in asking.” (His reassurance while teaching MJ independence in self-care.)

“You got stuck in the car, baby boy. Hurt your shoulder. Firefighters had to get you out.” (Spoken to MJ at the hospital after the July 2019 Safeway PTSD episode.)

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