Senate Resolution No. 1300

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of Stanley Obalase Ifagbemi
Kinard, civic leader, family man and devoted member
of his community

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly
those distinguished citizens who demonstrated great courage and
diligence in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their
communities and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, With feelings of deepest regret, this Legislative Body
records the passing of Stanley Kinard, who died on April 6, 2019, at the
age of 69; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard, affectionately known to many as Stan, was
born to the late Willie B. and Grace (Utsey) Kinard on April 13, 1949,
in the Brownsville community of Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The constant thread throughout Stanley Kinard's life has
been his spiritual development, his family, and a deep abiding
commitment to making a positive impact on the African American
community; he was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church, and later in
life, he embraced the Orisha/Ifa African Spiritual Tradition; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Stanley Kinard was initiated as a Babalorisha
Priest to the Orisha, Obatala by Ogunrelegun, Barbara Kenyatta Bey
(lbaye) and Ilubabi, Norman Powers at Ile Omo Olofi located in Brooklyn;
it was here that he received the name Obalase, which means King of
Power; in 2007, he went to Nigeria and was initiated as a Babalawo Ifa
Priest by the late Oba Fayemi Awopeju Bogunmbe of the Ogunda Meji Temple
in Apata, Ibadan, and received the name Ifagbemi; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard attended P.S. 150, George Gershwin Junior
High School, and Samuel J. Tilden High School where he was a proud
starting member of that school's first City Championship basketball team
in 1967; after graduating, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Urban Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1971;
and

WHEREAS, During his time at Amherst, Stanley Kinard was a leader of
the Student Afro American Organization, and established the WEB DuBois
Department of African American Studies, one of the first degree-granting
and tenure-conferring Black Studies departments to be established at an
institution of higher education in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Stanley Kinard was instrumental in creating the
New Africa House Cultural Center; in this capacity, he co-produced many
shows and brought popular Black artists to the campus community thereby
broadening the student cultural experience; and


WHEREAS, In 1984, Stanley Kinard married his wife, Tulani, and
together, they raised two children, Sakeenah and Alade; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating, Stanley Kinard became the first Executive
Director of Brownsville Heritage House, and subsequently, the founder
and Executive Director of the Carter G. Woodson Cultural Literacy
Project, which encouraged, developed and supported educational
excellence by teaching our youth about Black history and culture; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard's reputation as a political, educational,
and cultural advocate was solidified when he ran for office as a
candidate for City Council and State Assembly; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role as a civic leader, Stanley Kinard
volunteered his time and energies to Boys and Girls High School, where
he served in various capacities including member of the School
Leadership Team and Director of the CARE Center; in the position of
Community Associate, he counseled students and worked to improve their
educational experience by engaging neighborhood resources, alumni, staff
and parents; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard's love for education continued when he was
awarded a Revson Fellowship from Columbia University; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard truly led by example, and in doing so, has
left a lasting impact on the Brownsville community of Brooklyn, and New
York State as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Kinard is survived by his wife, Tulani; one
daughter, Sakeenah; one son, Alade; one sister, Jacqueline; five aunts,
Naomi, Cleo, Genora, Virginia and Jestine; and numerous cousins, nieces
and nephews; as well as devoted friends, Judyie, Sherri and Brenda; and

WHEREAS, A man of great compassion and determination, Stanley
Kinard's legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments as a successful
public servant; his sincere concern for others; his integrity,
unconditional friendship and selfless motivation to give of himself,
will long stand as a beacon for those who would aspire to service in
their community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Stanley Obalase Ifagbemi Kinard, civic leader, family
man and devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family Stanley Obalase Ifagbemi Kinard.