Senate Resolution No. 1553

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya
Carole Awolawo Robinson upon the occasion of their
designation for special recognition by the Brooklyn
Academy of Music on May 24, 2019

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo
Robinson have given not only of their time and energies but also of
their competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently have been
designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Baba John
Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson upon the occasion
of their designation for special recognition by the Brooklyn Academy of
Music at its DanceAfrica program on Friday, May 24, 2019; and

WHEREAS, DanceAfrica is Brooklyn Academy of Music's (BAM) longest
running program and America's largest celebration of African and
African-American dance, music, and culture; created in 1977, under the
artistic direction of Founding Elder Chuck Davis and with the aim of
heightening awareness of African culture, the festival has evolved into
a beloved annual Memorial Day weekend event which brings the entire
community together; and

WHEREAS, Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo
Robinson were born and raised in New York; and

WHEREAS, Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson earned a degree in
administration and went into a career in banking, however, she had been
a dancer since the age of 13 and continued dancing into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, After studying aeronautical engineering, Baba John Yomi
Awolawo Robinson was introduced to African drumming by a neighbor; his
love for the drum quickly grew and he began drumming in earnest while
studying at Bernice Johnson Dance Studio in Jamaica, New York; and

WHEREAS, It was at Bernice Johnson Dance Studio that their two paths
crossed in 1967, and the couple married just one year later; and

WHEREAS, As Dancer and Drummer, Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and
Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson were founding members of both the original
Chuck Davis Dance Company and the inaugural DanceAfrica performance in
1977; and

WHEREAS, Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson transitioned to a vocal
performance career and stayed close to home to raise their three
children Moremi, Akinwale, and Imani; Baba continued drumming and went
on to perform at venues to include FesTAC, the Richard Pryor Show, and
the World's Fair Guinea Pavilion; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, they both performed as vocal artists with
Milton Cardona and Eya Aranla at various global venues to include the
Berlin Jazz Festival and Earth Celebration in Sado, Japan; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya
Carole Awolawo Robinson have devoted themselves to projects close to
their hearts, including The Underground Railroad Quilt Project and the
Source Farm in St. Thomas, Jamaica; and

WHEREAS, Throughout their lives as priests of the Yoruba tradition
and pillars of the community, Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya
Carole Awolawo Robinson have initiated several god children and poured
their time, energy, and love into countless others; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Baba John Yomi Awolawo
Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson have displayed throughout their
lives; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson, that
future generations may know and appreciate their admirable character,
their many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which they
are held by their peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo Robinson
upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by the
Brooklyn Academy of Music on May 24, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Baba John Yomi Awolawo Robinson and Iya Carole Awolawo
Robinson.