Senate Resolution No. 435

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Leon Preston Robinson upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Lifetime
Achievement Award by the Young, Gifted & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards Program

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community and their profession; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Leon Preston Robinson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Young, Gifted & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards Program to be celebrated at the 18th Anniversary
of the Young, Gifted & Black Award Program on Wednesday, February 22,
2023, at Terrace On The Park in Queens, New York; and

WHEREAS, Leon Preston Robinson will also serve as the Keynote
Speaker for this auspicious occasion; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2006 by President/CEO of the NetLinkz Group,
Inc., Carl O. Gray, the Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial
Awards Program recognizes individuals who continue to reach levels of
great success through hard work and determination, proving to be
inspiring role models to their community and peers; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Young, Gifted & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards Program acknowledges the talent, ambition, and
achievements of African American and Caribbean professionals towards
their continued pursuit of success; and

WHEREAS, The Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program
was launched in honor of Black History Month and shines a light on such
accomplished individuals as Leon Preston Robinson, who truly exemplifies
an entrepreneurial spirit; and

WHEREAS, Leon Preston Robinson, widely known as Leon, is an American
actor who began his professional career as a film actor in the early
1980s, debuting in Madonna's video "Like a Prayer," to the lead role of
Disney's "Cool Runnings"; and

WHEREAS, Leon then starred in many other hit movies including "Above
the Rim," "Cliffhanger," "Waiting to Exhale," "Once Upon A Time When We
Were Colored," and HBO's first original series "OZ"; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, Leon starred in Hallmark's No. 1 movie of the
year, "Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas," and in 2022, he had a
role in the action movie "A Day to Die,"; currently, he can be seen in
the Showtime drama "City on A Hill" and just completed work on Amazon
Studios upcoming series "Swarm"; and

WHEREAS, A talented singer, Leon performed in musical roles such as
"The Five Heartbeats," the Emmy Winning mini-series "The Temptations,"
as lead singer, David Ruffin, and the NBC authorized biography of
"Little Richard" both earning him NAACP Best Actor nominations; and

WHEREAS, Leon and his band Leon & The Peoples' second album "Love is
a Beautiful Thing" produced two top 20 Billboard singles and excellent
reviews; and

WHEREAS, Leon also works behind the camera directing and producing
short films, music videos as well as commercials and TV development with
his New York based production company Motion Mob Films; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
honor Leon Preston Robinson upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Young, Gifted & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Leon Preston Robinson.