Senate Resolution No. 1619

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation
upon the occasion of hosting its 3rd Annual Rhythms
& Movements of African American Culture Festival,
held February 20-28, 2026

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend organizations whose work fosters cultural enrichment, community
engagement, and the celebration of African and African American
heritage; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation upon the occasion of
hosting its 3rd Annual Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture
Festival, held February 20 through 28, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Founded by brothers Kofi Osei Williams and Yao Ababio, and
nurtured with the support of Director of Operations Rubie Inez Williams,
the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, meaning "Mother Earth," has
cultivated a vibrant platform for African and African Diasporic arts,
including African dance, drumming, theater, and music, providing
educational, performance, and community opportunities for youth, adults,
and families throughout Brooklyn, New York, and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two and a half decades, the Asase Yaa
Cultural Arts Foundation has successfully launched and sustained
programs including the African American Dance Theater, the Children's
Summer Arts Camp, the School of the Arts, and Arts Outreach, each of
which fosters creative expression, cultural literacy, and pride in
African heritage while developing young talent into professional artists
and community leaders; and

WHEREAS, The 3rd Annual Rhythms & Movements Festival comprises nine
events, twenty-five performing artists, and three venues, offering
immersive experiences that celebrate African American identity, history,
and activism through dance, music, theater, spoken word, and visual
arts, while also engaging audiences in discussions on the transformative
power of art as a catalyst for social change; and

WHEREAS, Through its comprehensive programs and artistic
productions, the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation has educated and
inspired generations, connecting African and Caribbean cultural
traditions to contemporary expressions in Brooklyn, a historically rich
center of Black cultural achievement; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation has also cultivated pathways for its alumni
to pursue professional arts careers, building bridges to institutions
such as Alvin Ailey American Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the
Harlem School of the Arts, and supporting the next generation of
performers and cultural leaders; and

WHEREAS, Guided by the vision, leadership, and dedication of its
founders and executive team, the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation

continues to honor African heritage, elevate African American cultural
expression, and inspire community pride, unity, and activism through the
arts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation upon the occasion of
hosting its 3rd Annual Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture
Festival, and to recognize the Foundation's enduring commitment to
cultural preservation, arts education, and community empowerment; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation in recognition of
its remarkable achievements and lasting contributions to the cultural
life of communities in New York State.