Honor Bed-Stuy Restoration's 50th

28, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that organizations that give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York profoundly strengthen our society with their commitment; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate those events of historical significance which add strength, vigor and inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in the communities of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commending the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation upon the occasion of celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a Rare African Art Exhibit at the Center for Arts & Culture from February 10-April 28,

2017; and WHEREAS, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the nation's first community development organization, partners with area residents and businesses to improve the quality of life in long-blighted areas of Central Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, The Corporation strives to attract investment, improve the business climate, foster the economic self-sufficiency of families, enhance family stability, and promote the arts and culture; and WHEREAS, The exhibit, entitled "Brooklyn is Africa A Borough of Inclusion; a Continent of Invention" highlights African art as integral to African life; the exhibit if part of an African Artifacts Collection of Eric Edwards, the Founder and Executive Director of the Cultural Museum of African Art; and WHEREAS, Eric Edwards has devoted his life to cherishing and preserving that which symbolizes the most precious, beautiful and human aspects of who we are a s a people and presents that to the world; and WHEREAS, The 2,500 piece collection has taken Eric Edwards 46 years to amass, and represents all 54 African countries with artifacts dating as far back as the Nubian Empire; and WHEREAS, The spectacular exhibit will present pieces as diverse as a royal woman's head carved out of stone dating make 4,000 year, to Terra Cottas of the Nok Dynasty (Niger), to a carved wooden royal coffin, to Ibo Ceremonial Dance Dresses; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which help to preserve the history and heritage of a people and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation upon the occasion of celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a Rare African Art Exhibit at the Center for Arts & Culture; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Eric Edwards, Founder and Director of the Cultural Museum of African Art and to the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.