Senate Resolution No. 4362

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING The Center for Black Literature upon
the occasion of hosting its 14th National Black
Writers Conference, and paying tribute to this
year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend The Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
14th National Black Writers Conference, and to pay tribute to this
year's honorees from Thursday, March 22 through Sunday, March 25, 2018,
at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees include award-winning writers Colson
Whitehead, Kwame Dawes, David Levering Lewis, and Susan L. Taylor;
speculative fiction writers Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due; and
cultural historian Eugene B. Redmond; Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams will
serve as the Honorary Chair; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this year's event is entitled "Gathering at
the Waters: Healing, Legacy, and Activism in Black Literature," which
will focus on concerns about the recent, and still continuing, issues of
social inequality and injustices which challenge us and builds on the
legacy of healing through action; Black writers will discuss the ways in
which they use their writing to explore and convey messages which heal
and restore their individual selves and collective community; and

WHEREAS, Attendees of the conference will also examine the
instrumental role Black writers have played in building Black cultural
history, the imprint that this has left in Black literature, and how the
literature of Black writers has impacted present-day and future
generations; and

WHEREAS, Lastly, writers will examine how their beliefs and personal
vigorous actions are used to support the political and social change
they want to see take place in today's society; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when literary
and cultural organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
14th National Black Writers Conference, and to pay tribute to this
year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Center for Black Literature.