LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kwayera Archer-Cunningham upon the occa-
sion of her designation as a 2013 New York State Senate Woman of
Distinction

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that women of every
economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and that
it is appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their
endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, each year the New York State Senate honors
outstanding women who make our world and our lives better; this Legisla-
tive Body is, therefore, justly proud to recognize and commend Kwayera
Archer-Cunningham upon the occasion of her designation as a 2013 New
York State Senate Woman of Distinction; and
WHEREAS, Kwayera Archer-Cunningham is the Founding President and Chief
Executive Officer of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc., a non-profit
dedicated to supporting the creative, educational, and vocational devel-
opment of youth of African descent in central Brooklyn; she is a former
professional dancer and choreographer, an experienced arts educator, and
a seasoned administrator who has developed innovative programs and tech-
niques which combine performing and visual arts with core principles and
traditions of African culture; and
WHEREAS, Kwayera Archer-Cunningham strategically combined arts and
African culture to create programs that enable youth and families to
gain heightened self-awareness and confidence, improved health and well-
ness, increased financial knowledge, and academic success to the benefit
of both themselves and the communities in which they reside; under her
leadership since 1989, Ifetayo has grown from providing 10 students with
free dance classes to serving over 2,000 students annually through six
integrated arts and culture programs; and
WHEREAS, Kwayera Archer-Cunningham holds a Master of Science degree in
community economic development with a focus in community organizing
along with a Masters of Arts degree in non-profit management from South-
ern New Hampshire University; in addition, she is a graduate of Columbia
Business School's executive level training program with the Institute
for Nonprofit Management; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community and a recipient of numerous awards,
Kwayera Archer-Cunningham has been recognized extensively through vari-
ous merits such as the 2001 Union Square Award and the coveted New York
Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Award for Excellent Culturally Based
Management Strategies; and
WHEREAS, Kwayera Archer-Cunningham has also served on several boards
to provide organizations with in-kind technical assistance for strategic
planning and board development; she was also a panelist for New York
State Council on the Arts and a trustee of the National Guild for Commu-
nity Arts Education; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its high-
est commendation to Kwayera Archer-Cunningham in recognition and appre-
ciation of her many exemplary achievements and for her contributions to
her community and to the community of the State of New York; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kwayera Archer-Cunningham upon the occasion of her designation as
a 2013 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kwayera Archer-Cunningham.