Senate Resolution No. 1589

BY: Senator COMRIE

HONORING Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell upon
the occasion of their designation for special
recognition by the National Council of Negro Women,
Inc., Queens County, on June 2, 2019

WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell who
uphold the values of community life and who, through their great
actions, epitomize the best of humanity; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Tandra
Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Queens
County, to be celebrated at its 32nd Annual Black & White Awards
Banquet: "Women's Empowerment, Legacy, Reclamation and Renewal" on
Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and

WHEREAS, The powerhouse mother-daughter team Tandra Birkett and
Yvonne Jewnell are the founders of Harlem Fashion Week and owners of the
fashion design company Yvonne Jewnell New York LLC; and

WHEREAS, Yvonne Jewnell New York is an award winning, women's wear
company which creates clothing to promote women empowerment and
celebrate cultures from across the globe; and

WHEREAS, Tandra Birkett was educated at Columbia University and
Yvonne Jewnell was educated at Parsons School of Design; together, they
used their talent, skill and education to create one of the most
innovative, emerging fashion houses; and

WHEREAS, Harlem Fashion Week is an explosion of culture which
bridges the Downtown fashion hub to the Uptown vibe for a rich community
experience; its goal is to produce an event that will showcase the
fashion industry, provide business education for emerging designers,
grow Harlem businesses and create a cultural platform; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Tandra Birkett and Yvonne
Jewnell, Harlem Fashion Week has been featured in Vogue Italia,
Yahoostyle.com, Time Out New York, Racked.com, Fashionweekonline.com,
"Afrofusion TV," What's Eating Harlem?, and Urban Girl Mag, to name a
few; and

WHEREAS, Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell have truly created a
cultural platform through the art of fashion; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Tandra Birkett and Yvonne
Jewnell 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

Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell, 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 Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell upon the occasion of their
designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc., Queens County, on June 2, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell.