Senate Resolution No. 1253

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Caribbean Cultural Center African
Diaspora Institute upon the occasion of hosting its
2nd Annual Gala, and paying tribute to this year's
honorees

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations 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
commend the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute upon
the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Gala, and pay tribute to this
year's honorees on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the Loeb Central Park
Boathouse in New York, New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees include Ana L. Oliveira, President and
CEO of The New York Women's Foundation; Susan L. Taylor, Founder of the
National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of
Essence magazine; Opal Tometi, co-Founder of Black Lives Matter and
Executive Director of The Black Alliance for Just Immigration; and Ben
Rodriguez-Cubenas, Director of the Charles E. Culpeper Arts and Culture
Program, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and

WHEREAS, For the past four decades, the Caribbean Cultural Center
African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) has honored the traditions, history
and culture of the African Diaspora; and

WHEREAS, Through its innovative educational initiatives, dynamic
culturally-rich programming and enduring commitment to the duel tenets
of arts and advocacy, CCCADI continues its work to create a paradigm
shift toward cultural equity and social justice; and

WHEREAS, Simultaneously, CCCADI remains an accessible community
resource and a "first voice" institution producing critically acclaimed,
culturally grounded exhibition, and programs which serve as a beacon of
motivation and inspiration throughout New York city and the global
diaspora; and

WHEREAS, A new chapter in CCCADI's history has begun with the
opening of its state-of-the-art renovated firehouse located in El Barrio
at 120 East 125th Street; this signals the beginning of another phase of
its unique cultural journey that solidifies the role of this vital
organization as a major investor and presenter in documenting and
celebrating the African Diaspora and the historic contributions of its
communities; 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
commend the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute upon
the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Gala, and pay tribute to this
year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute
and the aforementioned honorees.