LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn NAACP upon the occasion
of hosting its Freedom Fund Reception and Awards Ceremony on June 16,
2016, and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn NAACP upon the occasion of hosting its Freedom Fund Recep-
tion and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at Brooklyn Law
School, Brooklyn, New York, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees;
and
WHEREAS, The Freedom Fund Reception and Awards Ceremony is the premier
event for the Brooklyn NAACP, highlighting local initiatives and enabl-
ing this vital organization to carry out its many programs and services,
advancing the cause of social justice in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Crystal Bobb-Semple, recipient of the President's Award, has
been at the forefront of literacy and educational equality for Central
Brooklyn for the last 15 years; her current company, Plato Learning, is
an after-school and summer literacy organization that has served more
than 3,000 families since 2010; and
WHEREAS, Golanda Trim, recipient of the Member of the Year Award, is a
proud member of the Brooklyn NAACP and Chairperson of the Branch Civic
Engagement Committee; she currently works at NYU Research Foundation, is
a TASC/GED instructor and a graduate student at Pace University; and
WHEREAS, Tywan Anthony, recipient of the Valiant Service Award, is a
dynamic young professional with great community leadership and real
estate management experience; he currently works as Senior Real Estate
Asset Manager for Centrock Corporation, a real estate development,
management and investment firm; and
WHEREAS, Renae Bluitt, recipient of the Entrepreneurship Award, is the
founder of Crush Media and is a dedicated public relations (PR) and
lifestyle marketing specialist who understands the power of brand
devotion; she has successfully executed PR and event programs for house-
hold brands such as ESSENCE, Pantene, Cover Girl, Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola
and Citibank; and
WHEREAS, David Greaves, recipient of the Freedom Star Award, was born
in Kings County and raised in Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant; he
is the publisher of OUR TIME PRESS, a newspaper he created with the goal
to create a vehicle that would bring information to the African-American
community; and
WHEREAS, Kierna Mayo, recipient of the Leadership in Commerce & Indus-
try Award, serves as Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Digital
Content at EBONY MAGAZINE; she is responsible for maintaining the tonal
and aesthetic consistency of the EBONY brand across all platforms; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn NAACP upon the occasion of hosting its Freedom Fund
Reception and Awards Ceremony on June 16, 2016, and to pay tribute to
this year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn NAACP and the aforementioned honorees.