LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Woman of Distinction Sheena Wright
upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition in cele-
bration of Women's History Month 2009

WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a time
to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women of our State and Nation for
their contributions to their communities and their professions; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that women of every
economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is
appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their endeav-
ors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Woman of Distinction Sheena Wright upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition in celebration of Women's History Month 2009, at
a special ceremony to be held on March 27, 2009, at the Bronx Library
Center, Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, A native New Yorker and long-time Harlem resident, Sheena
Wright was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Abyssinian
Development Corporation (ADC) in July 2002; she previously served ADC as
its Chief Operating Officer; and
WHEREAS, As CEO of ADC, Sheena Wright leads one of the most successful
community and economic development entities in the nation; since 1989,
ADC has been at the helm of improving the quality of life of Harlem
residents by providing comprehensive social services, increasing the
availability of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities,
fostering economic revitalization through small business development and
large-scale commercial investments, enhancing educational opportunities
for Harlem youth, and increasing the community's awareness on a myriad
of issues through a far-reaching civic engagement unit; and
WHEREAS, Under Sheena Wright's exemplary guidance, ADC has doubled in
size and its capacity to comprehensively serve community residents has
significantly increased; her diligent leadership brought about the
completion of the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social
Change, a state-of-the-art facility and the first high school built in
Harlem in over 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Sheena Wright was instrumental in the ADC
launching of The Abyssinian Neighborhood project, a model community
development initiative in the area immediately surrounding The Abyssini-
an Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sheena Wright initiated and oversees the
Displacement Prevention campaign designed to prevent displacement of
low- and moderate-income families from the Harlem community through
civic engagement and preservation purchases of at-risk buildings; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining ADC, Sheena Wright served as the General
Counsel and Executive Vice President of Business Development for Crave
Technologies, a minority-owned software company based in New York City
and Baltimore, Maryland; from 1999 to 2000, she was a Senior Associate
at the law firm of Reboul, MacMurray, Hewitt, Maynard and Kristol,
specializing in structuring private equity funds and private equity
investments; from 1994 to 1999, she was an Associate at the law firm of
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, where she participated in negotiating,
structuring and executing complex mergers, acquisitions and securities
transactions; and
WHEREAS, Sheena Wright earned a law degree from Columbia Law School in
1994, and was named a Stone Scholar for outstanding academic achieve-

ment; she completed her undergraduate work at Columbia College in 1990,
distinguishing herself athletically as well as academically, lettering
in varsity track & field and cross-country; and
WHEREAS, While a student at Columbia, Sheena Wright was a founding
member of the Pan-African House, a Black student cultural institution
and residence on the school's campus; after graduating, she worked for
THE NEW YORK TIMES Washington bureau as an Editorial Assistant; and
WHEREAS, Sheena Wright serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Advisory Board, Bank of America's National Community Advisory Committee,
Housing First! Strategy Committee, Association for Neighborhood and
Housing Development (ANHD) Board and Policy Committee, and Community
Board 9; and
WHEREAS, Sheena Wright is also a member of the New York State Bar, the
Boards of Citizens Union Foundation, the Albert G. Oliver Program and
the Randall's Island Sports Foundation; in addition, she is the Chair of
Sustained Excellence Alliance Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout Sheena Wright's impressive career, she has been
motivated to inspire her own generation through community involvement
and empowerment just as her mother did before her; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Gregg Walker, and
her three sons, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and
rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, New York State is home to countless women, strong and color-
ful threads vital to the fabric of our rich heritage, who have and
continue to contribute to the advancement of our society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when women of
such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great
State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Woman of Distinction Sheena Wright upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition in celebration of Women's History
Month 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sheena Wright.