LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Bernell K. Grier, CEO of Neighbor-
hood Housing Services of New York City, Inc. upon the occasion of gradu-
ating from the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence in Community Develop-
ment program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
congratulate Bernell K. Grier, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of
New York City, Inc. (NHSNYC) upon the occasion of graduating from the
NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence in Community Development program on
Thursday, March 4, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence in Community Develop-
ment program is the premiere organizational investment program and one
of the ways that NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people
to improve their lives and strengthen their communities; the program
builds on NeighborWorks America's strong track record as the nation's
leading trainer of community development and affordable housing profes-
sionals; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier is one of 49 leaders to graduate with this
Achieving Excellence class, a prestigious and highly selective training
program for nonprofit executives offered by NeighborWorks America in
collaboration with the Kennedy School of Government; and
WHEREAS, Only the most experienced and sophisticated executive direc-
tors and senior level staff participate in this program, and Bernell K.
Grier's successful completion of the Achieving Excellence program is a
testament to her exceptional skills and long-term commitment to improv-
ing our nation's lower-income communities and the lives of their resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, Achieving Excellence is an 18-month educational program that
includes three formal sessions at Harvard University's Kennedy School of
Government, as well as individual executive coaching, intensive peer
learning and guidance from Douglas K. Smith, principal designer of the
program and renowned expert on performance, learning, innovation and
change; and
WHEREAS, This organizational investment program is designed specif-
ically for seasoned executive directors and senior level staff in
nonprofit community development organizations that focus on affordable
housing, community revitalization or community economic development;
through this program, Bernell K. Grier specifically addressed one of the
most critical challenges facing her organization, identifying and imple-
menting solutions that not only dramatically changed how the organiza-
tion does business, but also fostered lasting community change; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier joined NHSNYC in 2004 as its Chief Operating
Officer; prior to joining NHSNYC, she enjoyed a 30-year career in bank-
ing beginning at Chase and spanning through Bank of America and its
predecessor banks, NatWest USA and Fleet Bank; and
WHEREAS, At Fleet, Bernell K. Grier successfully launched the
67-branch Fleet Community Bank network in New York and New Jersey and
served as the Director of Community Development for New York, New Jersey
and parts of Florida; in this capacity, she worked across the banks
small business, mortgage lending, real estate and philanthropic founda-

tion units to ensure the bank's compliance with the United States Commu-
nity Reinvestment Act, which resulted in outstanding CRA ratings; and
WHEREAS, Before that, Bernell K. Grier spent the majority of her bank-
ing career in commercial middle market lending before transitioning into
the field of Community Development in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier's wealth of management experience and strong
background in the financial industry has been a critical asset for help-
ing NHSNYC steer through the economic crisis; she has earned a reputa-
tion as a stellar team-builder across the neighborhood offices and
brought an important business discipline to its activities; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier has the ability to cultivate collaborative
relationships with both community and industry partners; she has truly
proven her leadership and long-standing commitment to underserved commu-
nities; and
WHEREAS, Parallel to her career in the banking industry, Bernell K.
Grier has more than 20 years of experience serving low-income communi-
ties and volunteering with a variety of not-for-profit organizations;
most recently, she traveled to South Africa to work with Emmanuel
Baptist Church, Brooklyn in developing a community resource center in
the Wintervelt area; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier's very first job at the young age of 14 was
as a community organizer, where she helped Harlem residents fight
against illegal evictions; and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier was recently appointed to the advisory board
of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York; currently, she serves on the
advisory board of the New York University Furman Center for Real Estate
and Public Policy, on the board of Neighborhood Restore, and serves on
various committees with the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA);
and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier is a graduate of the City University of New
York, City College, and the James A. Johnson Community Leaders Program;
and
WHEREAS, Bernell K. Grier has received numerous awards for career and
community service, including the 2006 Career Achievement Award by the
City College of New York Business Alumni Association and the New York
Women's Agenda STAR in 2001; in addition, she is a Partnership for NYC
David Rockefeller Fellow class of 2000; and
WHEREAS, NeighborWorks America awarded NHS with the 2009 Top Producer
Award for being Number 1 in the network for Direct Investment into the
community; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Bernell K. Grier, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of
New York City, Inc. upon the occasion of graduating from the Neighbor-
Works Achieving Excellence in Community Development program; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bernell K. Grier.