Honor Caribbean Culture Center

Senate Resolution No. 1253 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honorees WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Gala, and pay tribute to this year's honorees on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the Loeb Central Park Boathouse in New York, New York; and WHEREAS, This year's honorees include Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO of The New York Women's Foundation; Susan L. Taylor, Founder of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence magazine; Opal Tometi, co-Founder of Black Lives Matter and Executive Director of The Black Alliance for Just Immigration; and Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, Director of the Charles E. Culpeper Arts and Culture Program, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and WHEREAS, For the past four decades, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) has honored the traditions, history and culture of the African Diaspora; and WHEREAS, Through its innovative educational initiatives, dynamic culturally-rich programming and enduring commitment to the duel tenets of arts and advocacy, CCCADI continues its work to create a paradigm shift toward cultural equity and social justice; and WHEREAS, Simultaneously, CCCADI remains an accessible community resource and a "first voice" institution producing critically acclaimed, culturally grounded exhibition, and programs which serve as a beacon of motivation and inspiration throughout New York city and the global diaspora; and WHEREAS, A new chapter in CCCADI's history has begun with the opening of its state-of-the-art renovated firehouse located in El Barrio at 120 East 125th Street; this signals the beginning of another phase of its unique cultural journey that solidifies the role of this vital organization as a major investor and presenter in documenting and celebrating the African Diaspora and the historic contributions of its communities; and WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 commend the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Gala, and pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute and the aforementioned honorees.