Senate Resolution No. 284

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Center for Black Literature upon
the occasion of hosting its 2025 National Black
Writers Biennial Symposium and paying tribute to
this year's honoree, Tony Medina

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York 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 Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
2025 National Black Writers Biennial Symposium to be held at Medgar
Evers College, City University of New York, in Brooklyn, New York, on
Saturday, March 29, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 2002, the Center for Black Literature (CBL) at
Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York (CUNY) has
served the interests of the people of the Empire State by expanding,
broadening, and enriching the public's knowledge and appreciation of
Black literature by people of the African Diaspora and of the African
continent for 23 years; and

WHEREAS, Tony Medina is a multi-genre author and editor of 25
award-winning books for adults and young people, celebrated for his
excellence and contributions to Black literature; and

WHEREAS, Born in South Bronx, New York, and raised in the Throggs
Neck housing, Tony Medina is a United States Army veteran; and

WHEREAS, Tony Medina earned his master's degree and PhD from
Binghamton University SUNY; additionally, he was recently appointed the
titles of Associate Chair and Director of Creative Writing in the
Department of English at Howard University; and

WHEREAS, Tony Medina's work appears in more than 160 anthologies and
journals, including "Seven Steps to Heaven Haiku" and "I've Got the
Covid Blues" which are featured in the Academy of American Poets'
Poem-a-Day; and

WHEREAS, Books for young people, including "Christmas Makes Me
Think," "Love to Langston," "I and I: Bob Marley," and "The President
Looks Like Me & Other Poems," are some of Tony Medina's outstanding
literary works; and

WHEREAS, Recent honors bestowed upon Tony Medina include the
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People two times, the Arnold Adoff
Poetry Award for Special Recognition, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry
Award, and the 2022 Audie Award for Young Listeners ("I and I: Bob
Marley" audiobook); and

WHEREAS, Most notably through the Center for Black Literature, Tony
Medina has consistently pursued his passion of expanding, broadening,
and enriching the public's knowledge and appreciation of the value of
the literature produced by Black writers; and

WHEREAS, The Members of the New York State Senate recognize the
incredible accomplishments and authorship of this inspiring leader and
show appreciation for the excellent work Tony Medina will continue to
contribute to the community; and

WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Center for
Black Literature has demonstrated the value of uplifting the voices of
Black writers from all walks of life, providing a space for growth and
education, while providing platforms for success; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
2025 National Black Writers Biennial Symposium and paying tribute to
this year's honoree, Tony Medina; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Tony Medina.