Honor Ifetayo Arts Celebration

10, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the cultural enrichment of the Empire 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 Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy upon the occasion of hosting its 28th Annual Performing Arts Youth Presentation "Kolama!" on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the Walt Whitman Theater at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The reception is hosted by Ifetayo's Parent Teacher Coalition (PTC) and will feature a special performance from one of its partner schools, PS 92; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1989, the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. is an arts and cultural organization dedicated to supporting the creative, educational and vocational development of youth and families of African descent; it strives to enhance their lives by providing programs in cultural awareness, performing and visual arts, as well as academic enrichment, health and wellness, and professional skills development; and WHEREAS, Ifetayo's faculty consists of highly skilled professional artists, scholars and experienced teachers, and includes published poets, former directors of music schools, artists who have exhibited at such venues as the Brooklyn Museum; it also has a host of performers from such companies as Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, Jubilation Dance Company, and the Miami City Ballet; and WHEREAS, For 28 years, Ifetayo has taken a leadership role in developing the community it serves by improving the quality of life for its members; it is a supportive community and extended family able to provide its students with skills development and new perceptions leading to responsible decision-making; and WHEREAS, Ifetayo's name comes from the West African Yoruba word meaning "love brings happiness"; this is a guiding principle and the foundation of its approach to the development and growth of its students; and WHEREAS, Ifetayo has been a pillar of strength in Flatbush and surrounding neighborhoods, inspiring a new generation to reach high levels of creative, personal and academic achievement; since 1989, it has grown to serve a significant amount of students and their families in seven major programs demonstrating their ability to involve and retain young people whose needs are being met successfully; and WHEREAS, The success of the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director, Sandra Bowie; Interim Associate Executive Director, Renee Smith; and Executive Artistic Director, Dr. Angela Fatou Gittens; as well as its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors; and WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 28th Annual Performing Arts Youth Presentation "Kolama!" on