LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating 13-year-old writer Najaya Royal
for her inspirational poetry performed at Carnegie Hall

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize those individuals within our midst who provide exceptional
leadership and commitment to human service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late 13-year-old writer Najaya Royal for her inspirational poetry
performed at Carnegie Hall; and
WHEREAS, Najaya Royal, Samori Covington and Alexis Cummings are three
inspirational young writers whose determination, drive and dedication to
the written word, their families and communities and themselves have
given them a love for poetry and desire to share their work with others;
the three poets are mentored by Angeli Rasbury, a Brooklyn Public
Library staffer who facilitated weekly poetry workshops with the support
of the Brooklyn-based NY Writers Coalition, Griot Reading Programs and
the Brooklyn Arts Council; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, their poems "I am from the Ghetto Brooklyn" (Najaya
Royal), "When Randa Wears Red" (Samori Covington) and "I'm Smart" (Alex-
is Cummings) were set to music by composer Gilda Lyons and collectively
titled "Songs from the F Train," a commission from American Opera
Projects, Fort Greene Park Conservancy and the Walt Whitman Project; and
WHEREAS, "Songs from the F Train" premiered in Fort Greene Park during
the Make Music New York Festival and was performed again at Carnegie
Hall as part of a concert titled "The Music of Georgia Shreve and Alvin
Singleton"; at both events, the piece was performed by mezzo-soprano
Nicole Mitchell, a Bedford Stuyvesant native; and
WHEREAS, Najaya Royal was born in 1997 in Brooklyn, New York; at the
age of seven, she was introduced to poetry by a teacher who read Shel
Silverstein's and other poets' poetry to the students; and
WHEREAS, Najaya Royal went from writing a few lines about McDonald's,
to writing about being just a spirit when her mother was born, to pray-
ing for alcoholics in her neighborhood and to writing her famous poem,
"I'm From the Ghetto Brooklyn"; and
WHEREAS, Najaya Royal has been published in THE HIDDEN CHORUS, an
anthology, and the NEW LOTS REVIEW, a chapbook, both published by the
New York Writers Coalition, and ART'S BUOYANT FELICITY: AN ANTHOLOGY:
ART/CREATIVITY/HEALING published by InSpirit Lickle Nine Press; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act in accord
with its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and
leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate 13-year-old writer Najaya Royal for her inspirational poet-
ry performed at Carnegie Hall; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Najaya Royal.