Honor Sierra Ann Boyd

Senate Resolution No. 1431 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. on April 8, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role models for their peers; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., to be feted at its 32nd Annual Harambee Celebration on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Medgar Evers College Cafeteria, in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a body of national African American women's organizations and community based sections; founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, the NCNW strives to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities through research, and national and community-based services and programs on health, education, and economic empowerment issues in both the United States and Africa; and WHEREAS, Through 39 national affiliates and more than 240 sections, NCNW has reached and supported nearly four million women; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. was organized on January 22, 1962, at the Bedford YMCA by Odessa L. Skeene, and received its Charter on March 12, 1962; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section maintains a strong commitment to its young people through education, outreach programs, counseling and recognition; it sponsors community ventures to enhance the health and social services of residents through seminars, health fairs and voter registration campaigns for self-empowerment; and WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd is receiving this prestigious award for her exemplary academic accomplishments, community service and church activities; and WHEREAS, A senior at Benjamin Banneker High School, Sierra Ann Boyd is an exceptional student and hopes to attend Howard University after graduation; she aspires to be a published author of fiction, and playwright, director and producer of musical theatre productions; and WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd loves to sing with the Salisbury School of Music in Brooklyn, and has written several short stories that have appeared in her school newspaper; she has also shared her poetry at various middle school and high school events and classes; and WHEREAS, In the summer of 2016, Sierra Ann Boyd had the great opportunity to internship with Councilman Robert Cornegy, Jr.'s office and assist with a few writing projects, including a weekly What's Happening summer guide; and WHEREAS, Since 2009, Sierra Ann Boyd has been a vital member of the Brooklyn Chapter of Jack & Jill of America; through the years, she has held the positions of Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Sergeant-at-Arms; and WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd has also been a participant of the New York Chapter of Usher's New Look for the last seven years; she strives to optimize and utilize the four pillars of service, Talent, Career, Education and Service; and WHEREAS, For the last year, Sierra Ann Boyd has been a member of NYC Together, where she was able to participate in the creation of a mural that sits on the outside of the 9th precinct, in hopes of bringing youth and police officers together; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her mother, Ann Victoria Rollins Boyd; her sister, Saydona Victoria; her brother, Sequoyah Sean Mancrief; and her grandparents, Eleanor and Samuel Rollins; as well as her late father, Vondel Mancrief Boyd, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in her accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by her teachers, minister, and family; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Sierra Ann Boyd.