Senate Resolution No. 291

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition at the
Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th
Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
enduring individuals and organizations which devote their purposeful
energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of those they
serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering pride among them;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th
Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Terrace on the
Park, Queens, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Young, Gifted, & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards
were established in 2006 by Carl Gray as a platform to spotlight and
celebrate everyday individuals who serve as positive role models,
inspiring their peers through their accomplishments, perseverance, and
contributions; and

WHEREAS, Carl Gray's vision for the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards has
remained steadfast in ensuring recognition is given to those whose
contributions, though not always highlighted in mainstream media, have a
profound and lasting influence within their fields and society; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El whose pen and artist name is Cozmo El,
began his journey searching for a better and more fulfilling way of life
at the young age of 14; he began to study Islam and joined the Moorish
Science Temple of America Original Temple No. 43, and the Moorish
Science Empire of the West where he studied and acquired the tools of an
organizer and teacher; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 16, Nathaniel Boothe El founded the Moorish
Chess Club of Long Beach at Polytechnic High School; in college he was
invited to become a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, the largest collegiate
language society in the United States; he also served as President of
both the Black Student Union and Pan African Student Union where he
participated in social activism; and

WHEREAS, In the Temple, Nathaniel Boothe El learned
ecclesiastical-like Law and eventually passed through all positions of
governing officials; he continued being an integral part of the Temple
and the Moorish Divine and National Movement; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El established various businesses in an
attempt to create economic empowerment, including Fez Market, Califa Fez
Co., Moorish National Newspaper, Jinga Jinga Lounge, Seven Flavors
Restaurant, The Peoples Store and The Good Life Marketplace; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, Nathaniel Boothe El joined Moorish Science Temple
California No. 101, where he was later appointed to the esteemed
position of Grand Sheik by Grand Sheik Shaheed Ali El and the then
Governor, Victor Taylor El; and

WHEREAS, As the unity movement grew in California, Nathaniel Boothe
El helped to establish a Grand Temple under the name of Grand Temple
Califa, and served six years as Chairman of the Califa Grand Council
overseeing six constitutional conventions; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El currently serves as the National Grand
Sheik of the Moorish Science Temple of America, a charity temple with
branches in Los Angeles, Oakland, Arizona, New York and Hawaii; he is
also the current CEO of the Moorish Science Temple California, Inc., the
oldest Moorish American institution in California founded in 1974 by
Sister Janell English El; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sister English El appointed Nathaniel
Boothe-El as California Representative of Moorish Unity Summit, and
together they produced The Moorish National Newspaper; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe-El is an established author and has
written over 13 books and several articles on subjects which include:
Moorish History, Ancient Language and Islamic Psychology; he resides in
Hawaii where he has established a land development, farming and
self-sustainable living project at the Aloha Moorish Retreat; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
individuals and organizations which give positive definition to the
profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York, do
so profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to the exercise of
freedom; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial
Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, February 26, 2025; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Nathaniel Boothe El.