LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 42nd Anniversary of the Inter-
national African Arts Festival

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 42nd Anniversary of the International African Arts Festival,
to be celebrated on July 4-7, 2013, at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn,
New York; and
WHEREAS, This year's theme is "NDUNGA" Justifier/Justice from the
Congo; and
WHEREAS, The International African Arts Festival (IAAF) is dedicated
to the preservation of art forms, traditions, and cultures of Africa and
its diaspora; the IAAF perpetuates all the artistic traditions that stem
from African cultural practices throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the IAAF is to bring together traditional and
contemporary arts of African Diaspora by creating a venue that provides
programs for artistic expression, entrepreneurial economic opportu-
nities, and shares cultural experiences with a diverse audience of
patrons; and
WHEREAS, The IAAF began in 1971 as the African Street Carnival, a
PTA's block party fundraiser for an independent school in the Bedford
Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn with local entertainers, about 20 arts
and crafts vendors, along with food prepared by the parents; almost
2,000 people came to the event and it was a success; and
WHEREAS, The IAAF has been part of Brooklyn's cultural landscape for
40 years; each year a committed team of Board members, consultants,
part-time seasonal staff and volunteers, work together to transform a
city park into an outdoor African cultural oasis that celebrates tradi-
tional and contemporary expression of various African cultural art
forms; today, the IAAF is a community-based, non-profit organization
that produces an annual event attracting an estimated 75,000 attendees
from Brooklyn and all around the world; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, the IAAF relocated to Commodore Barry Park which is
the third transition to a larger venue to accommodate its growing audi-
ence; the original lineup of local folk arts entertainment which has
included dance companies such as Dinizulu African Dancers and Drummers,
Marie Brooks Pan-Caribbean Dancers, emerging singers like Martha Redbone
and many others, continues to be an important part of the Festival's
programming; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the stages of the Festival have featured
renowned artists such as Blue Magic, The Mighty Sparrow, Fela Anikula-
po-Kuti, KRS-1, Lauryn Hill, and India Arie, artists who grew to achieve
national and international acclaim; the small vendor market has grown
into an African Marketplace with over a hundred micro-enterprise
vendor/small business membership database of entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, The marketplace offers an array of one of a kind, handcraft-
ed, original designs of merchandise ranging from jewelry, urban fashion,
t-shirts and body oils to imported African fabric, artifacts and furni-
ture, original paintings, hand-carved marble sculptures and more; in
addition, the outdoor Food Court offers the community an array of
talented cooks and chefs preparing a wide variety of cuisines; and

WHEREAS, Savory flavors range from traditional soul food to spicy
Caribbean dishes, to African, Latin, vegetarian food, seafood and even
gourmet style raw foods; a true asset to society, the IAAF provides
family entertainment and essential resources for the community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 42nd Anniversary of the International African Arts
Festival; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Akosua K. Albritton, International African Arts Festival.