LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Jitu K. Weusi, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Jitu K. Weusi, formerly known as Leslie R. Campbell, died on
May 22, 2013, at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jitu Weusi has many
accomplishments in the fields of education, art, activism, and social
justice; and
WHEREAS, Jitu Weusi began his education career with the New York City
Department of Education (DOE) in September of 1962; he left the DOE in
the late 1960s to open Uhuru Sasa Shule (Freedom Now School), the first
African-American independent private school for inner-city youth; he
returned to the New York City DOE in 1985, serving many school districts
before his retirement in October of 2006; and
WHEREAS, Among his many accomplishments, Jitu Weusi was a founding
member of the African-American Teachers Association and was instrumental
in forming the New York Chapter of National Black United Front (NBUF);
and
WHEREAS, Jitu Weusi was an avid Jazz enthusiast whose experience with
Jazz performers began in the early 1960s when he worked as a waiter at
the famed Village Gate Cabaret and encountered musicians such as Thelo-
nious Monk, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Art Blakely, Aretha Franklin,
Miriam Makeba, and Herbie Mann; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, inspired by his love of music, Jitu Weusi
became the principal operator of the East Cultural and Educational
Center, where he presented Jazz programs weekly; furthermore, he served
as Chairperson of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium for the past 12
years; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the Consortium, this remarkable
man served as Chair of the New York Chapter of NBUF; and
WHEREAS, Jitu Weusi distinguished himself in his profession and by his
sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his
community; and
WHEREAS, Jitu Weusi's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Jitu Weusi is survived by his wife, Angela, their eight chil-
dren, Kweli, Damali, Taifa, Nandi, Makini, Hazina, Kojo, and Toure as
well as 12 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Jitu Weusi leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the
passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served
and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Jitu K. Weusi, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Jitu K. Weusi.