Honor Brooklyn Jazz Consortium

Senate Resolution No. 814 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 20th Anniversary of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium on April 11, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and cultural enrichment of their communities and the great 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 commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, to be celebrated on Thursday, April 11, 2019, at Long Island University, Kumble Theater, Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1999, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC) is a nonprofit corporation committed to preserving, promoting, and supporting live music within the underserved communities of Brooklyn; its membership consists of jazz aficionados, entertainment venues, musicians, faith-based institutions, and community organizations; and WHEREAS, The founders of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, Alma Carroll, Voila Plummer and Torrie McCartney, provided the vision upon which the organization's mission was constructed; and WHEREAS, Torrie McCartney's vision and impetus began when Dr. Sam Pinn, a history professor at Ramapo College in New Jersey and Founder of the Ft. Greene Senior Citizens Council in Brooklyn, asked her to create a weekly concert series at their flagship center, 966 Fulton Street, in

1990; the room would launch as Jazz 966, and is now nearing its 30th year; and WHEREAS, Additionally, in 1995, she was asked by Dr. Mary Umolu, a tenured professor at Medgar Evers College, to develop a weekly summer concert series on the campus grounds; these Friday summer concerts continue today; and WHEREAS, The first Board of the Jazz Consortium would consist of educator and cultural activist Jitu Weusi, who was elected as the organization's first chairperson in December of 1999, along with Alma Carroll, Treasurer; Torrie McCartney, Facilitator; Colette Penn, Recording Secretary; and Loretta Washington, Financial Secretary; and WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, CBJC has presented the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival and established a Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame; this vital arts organization also produces yearly programs, including Youth Jazz Jamboree/Wellness Day, Jazz: The Women's Viewpoint, and a summer jazz concert series at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, all programming features local talent in venues throughout central Brooklyn, focusing on locations in Brownsville, East New York, and Bedford Stuyvesant sections of the borough; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium is committed to the development of audiences and the nurturing of institutions and individuals throughout Brooklyn, which effect Jazz as well as other cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium provides a forum for cultural exchanges through building partnerships, establishing connections between African American musicians and their community; and WHEREAS, Recognizing the contributions of artists and their role in perpetuating culture while promoting the dignity of all people, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium strives to develop venues that are affordable, accessible, and attractive to young people, elders, and adults; and WHEREAS, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium's 2019 esteemed Board Members include: Chairman, Clarence Mosley; Treasurer, Bessie Edwards; Financial Secretary, Robert Myers; Media Director, Dwight Brewster; Parliamentarian, Michael Howard; Musical Director, Jeffrey King; and Board Members, Garland Core Jr., Debbie Mack, Steve Cromity and Beareather Reddy; and WHEREAS, The success of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium is in direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium on