LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the William M. Moss Brotherhood of
Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York, upon the occa-
sion of hosting its 61st Annual Brotherhood Awards Banquet, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commending the
William M. Moss Brotherhood of Concord Baptist Church of Christ, in
Brooklyn, New York, upon the occasion of hosting its 61st Annual Broth-
erhood Awards Banquet, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on
Friday, February 26, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Outstanding individuals who have received this prestigious
honor include distinguished and nationally known activist ministers,
community leaders, educators, and public servants; and
WHEREAS, This year's honorees include: Charles F. Coleman, Jr. Esq.,
and Dordy Jourdain; and
WHEREAS, Charles F. Coleman, Jr. is a well-known civil rights attorney
who specializes in EEO law, human resources solutions, and the support
of diversity and inclusion efforts in the workforce; as a former Brook-
lyn, New York, prosecutor turned civil litigator, he has extensive expe-
rience as a trial lawyer and his courtroom expertise is matched only by
his leadership abilities, which he displays through his community mobi-
lization and civic activism efforts; and
WHEREAS, Charles F. Coleman, Jr. has appeared internationally on vari-
ous media outlets as a legal and political analyst, writer, and orator;
he has been branded as one of the brightest and most well-respected
voices in conversations on law, civil rights, criminal justice, and
other issues affecting communities of color by giving public talks to
businesses, student groups, and other organizations on law, culture,
diversity, politics, and social justice issues; and
WHEREAS, Charles F. Coleman, Jr. began his esteemed legal career as a
prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney's Office; while there,
he was hand-picked to join the specialized Gangs Unit where he prose-
cuted some of the city's most dangerous and violent criminals in several
high profile cases; and
WHEREAS, For his efforts as a trial attorney and commitment to
justice, Charles F. Coleman, Jr. was awarded the 2007 Law Enforcement
Appreciation Award for excellence and leadership in law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, While working at the District Attorney's office, Charles F.
Coleman, Jr. noticed that he was faced with prosecuting a dispropor-
tionate number of young people for very serious crimes; he soon discov-
ered that many of these young people lacked direction and strong support
systems, and subsequently, he established EDGE Movement NYC; and
WHEREAS, EDGE is an acronym for Empower, Develop, Grow, and Education;
this worthy program continues to inspire and encourage the next gener-
ation of leaders while serving to shed light on the need for more posi-
tive examples of manhood for young men while galvanizing the community
toward action; and
WHEREAS, Since leaving the District Attorney's office, Charles F.
Coleman, Jr. has transitioned to the arena of civil rights, focusing
primarily on EEO law while helping to provide diversity and inclusion
support to companies seeking to improve their workforce; and

WHEREAS, Born in Haiti, Dordy Jourdain received an Associate's degree
in Business Administration from Borough of Manhattan Community College;
he then went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from
City College of the City University of New York; and
WHEREAS, Dordy Jourdain began his two decade career with the YMCA in
Harlem, New York; he then held the position of Executive Director of the
Flatbush YMCA; during this time, he created innovative community based
partnerships, and youth and teen programs that connected young people to
local business professionals and community leaders, helping to transform
their lives; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dordy Jourdain revitalized the Flatbush YMCA's
early childhood music program which can enrich students' lives and
education; and
WHEREAS, Since 2008, Dordy Jourdain has held the distinguished posi-
tion of Executive Director of the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA; in this
capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the branch's daily operations
including membership, youth programming, facility management, finance,
board and volunteer development, and fund development; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his 20 year career at YMCA, Dordy Jourdain has
been credited with improving struggling branches, building branch finan-
cial success, developing resources and alliances with government agen-
cies, legislators and non-profit organizations, and generating funds to
support youth programming and community development; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his exceptional work at the YMCA, Dordy Jour-
dain serves as the Chair of DREAM Board of Directors; he also is a vital
member of the Boys and Girls High School Advisory Committee, and the
Association of YMCA Professionals, as well as the Executive Leadership
Institute; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of President Dr. Clarence Evans
and Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. Gary Simpson, the William M. Moss Broth-
erhood of Concord Baptist Church of Christ stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the William M. Moss Brotherhood of Concord Baptist Church of
Christ, in Brooklyn, New York, upon the occasion of hosting its 61st
Annual Brotherhood Awards Banquet, and paying tribute to this year's
.SO DOC S R4091 RESO TEXT 2015
honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Dr. Clarence Evans and Senior Pastor Reverend Dr.
Gary Simpson, the William M. Moss Brotherhood of Concord Baptist Church
of Christ, Brooklyn, New York, and the aforementioned honorees.