Honor Dr. Headley’s Leadership

Senate Resolution No. 1019 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMENDING Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Leadership Award by the Community Council for Medgar Evers College, Inc. on April 27, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Leadership Award by the Community Council for Medgar Evers College, Inc. to be celebrated at its Annual Spring Scholarship and Leadership Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 27, 2019; and WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, a diverse group of residents, clergy and elected officials formed the Community Council to provide access to a quality college education for students living in central Brooklyn; along with New York City University, the Council established Medgar Evers College in 1970; and WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was born and raised in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York; he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, For most of his life, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has devoted his time and energy to bettering his hometown and East New York as a whole; and WHEREAS, For over 16 years, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. served as District Leader for the 40th Assembly District in the East New York section of Kings County; and WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was a member of the Community School District 19 School Board for 16 years and implemented the first bilingual education program in that district; he has also served on various local boards including Community Board 5, and was the founder of the community's first Local Development Corporation and the Federation of Block Associations for East New York; and WHEREAS, In addition to his political career, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. spent several years as a social worker, and in the late 1970s, became the Executive Director of numerous adolescent group homes within the East New York/Brownsville communities; and WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has accomplished numerous goals throughout his magnanimous life; he was the only New York State resident to enter into the Job Corps Staff Training Session at the University of California's Office of Economic Opportunity in 1966, established the Federation of Addiction Agencies to provide a drug-free treatment program in East New York and Brownsville, and was appointed to the Council for SUNY Downstate Health and Science Center; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was presented with an honorary doctorate degree for humanities in 2014 from Anointed by God Alliance and Seminary; and WHEREAS, This dynamic and compassionate philanthropist, entrepreneur and advocate has truly dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of life for his constituents; through his tireless efforts he has been instrumental in providing college scholarships, employment opportunities, affordable housing, increased public services, as well as an extensive network of social services to many people; and WHEREAS, As the owner of Strong Power Consultants, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. built local medical and dental facilities for Oxford Health Plans, Brookdale Hospital and Medical Center and Interfaith Medical Center; new housing for the Berean Missionary Baptist Church; and helped other local churches acquire land for the use of building senior citizen housing and youth centers for communities in need of urban renewal; and WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. also serves as a liaison for various HMOs, assisting them in providing healthcare through facilities in lower income communities, and establishes links with area hospitals in Brooklyn and New York City to assist small business and private physicians with affiliations with the hospitals; and WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including The Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation Award, Mayor's Award for Community Service, Brookdale University Hospital Community Service Award, the Frances Hanberry Award for Development of Community Economic Literacy Programs and Initiatives, the North Brooklyn YMCA Citizens Recognition Award, and the Manhattan Jaycees Award; recently, he was honored by the Bedford Stuyvesant Lions Club of which he is a member, and the East New York Homeowners Association; and WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Gerri, who has shown him love and support and rejoices in his many achievements; 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 Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Leadership Award by the Community Council for Medgar Evers College, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr.