LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Elombe Brath, distinguished
citizen and devoted national and international civil and human rights
leader

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath, of Harlem, New York, died on Monday, May 19,
2014, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to Pan-Africanism
and Black empowerment both at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 30, 1936, to parents
who had immigrated to the United States from Barbados, he was poli-
tically inspired early on in life by hearing his mother speak of her
first cousin, Clennel Wickham, editor of the renowned HERALD newspaper;
and
WHEREAS, In his autobiography, READY FOR REVOLUTION, the acclaimed
revolutionary Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) referred to Elombe Brath
as the "dean of Harlem nationalists"; while such a tribute from Ture is
admirable, Brath's Black Nationalism and his Pan-African thought
extended well beyond Harlem with a special resonance among freedom
fighters around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath's political commitment evolved in 1956 simul-
taneously with the struggle to eliminate "Negro" as the nomenclature of
African American people; from this moment of Black consciousness it was
an easy and logical step for him to create the "Black is Beautiful"
campaign following the creation of African Jazz-Arts Society and
Studios; and
WHEREAS, Removing "Negro" from the lexicon, insisting on the beauty of
Blackness, and refusing to accept the Eurocentric worldview, Elombe and
his associates were in the vanguard of change as they launched the Gran-
dassa Models and "Naturally Shows"; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man was a pioneer in the Pan-African movement,
standing up for the rights of black people across the world; he worked
closely with the Federation of Pan-African Nationalist Organizations,
setting the stage for African Liberation Day and the development of the
African Liberation Support Committee (ALSC); his efforts played a crit-
ical role in educating and organizing thousands in the fight against
imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism on the African continent;
and
WHEREAS, In 1975, following in the footsteps of black nationalism
forefathers Marcus Garvey and Carlos Cooks, Elombe Brath founded the
Patrice Lumumba Coalition (PLC), a Harlem-based group which spread word
of the ongoing struggle against oppression in Africa and mobilized local
support in the fight against apartheid; and
WHEREAS, For more than a generation Elombe Brath, as the chairman of
PLC, helped to coordinate hundreds of forums with the purpose of educat-
ing the masses, not only about the struggle in Africa but also about the
conditions oppressed people faced all over the world; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath was also one of the principal organizers when
Harlem welcomed Nelson Mandela in 1990, and was a strong advocate for
the Central Park Five; and
WHEREAS, Despite his total immersion on the international front as
well as his countless battles against racism at home, Elombe was
employed at WABC-TV where as a graphic artist, he was a vital consult-

ant, particularly on African affairs, to Gil Noble, the esteemed host of
"Like It Is"; Elombe was instrumental in facilitating the presence of
many of the African leaders on the show; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, An international figure, and tireless advocate for civil and
human rights, this remarkable man's life continues to serve as an inspi-
ration to others; and
WHEREAS, Elombe Brath is survived by his wife, Helene Nomsa Brath, and
their seven children; he passed, quite fittingly on the 89th birthday of
Malcolm X; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
justice, Elombe Brath leaves behind a legacy of fighting for freedom
which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comfort-
ing memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Elombe Brath, distinguished citizen and devoted
national and international civil and human rights leader; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Elombe Brath.