LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 21st Anniversary of the Noel
Pointer Foundation on June 23, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that organizations
that give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the
communities of the State of New York profoundly strengthen our society
with their commitment; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 21st
Anniversary of the Noel Pointer Foundation, to be feted at a Music
Matters Annual Gala Celebration on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at BAMFish-
er, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will honor several individuals who
have continuously cast a positive impact on their community and have
displayed an unbridled enthusiasm in supporting the Noel Pointer Founda-
tion, including Jonathan Batiste, bandleader for the Stephen Colbert
Late Show; Lisa Yancey, Cultural Consultant; and Alfred Edmonds, Jr.,
Vice President, Black Enterprise; in addition, Phantazia String Players
will entertain the guests; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1995, The Noel Pointer Foundation (NPF) was
founded in memory of celebrated jazz violinist, educator and humanitari-
an, Noel Pointer; it is the only not-for-profit organization of its kind
represented within the five boroughs of New York City; and
WHEREAS, Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, NPF was built on the
premise that through the learning of string music our youth would be
empowered, thereby strengthening and creating positive change within
families and communities; and
WHEREAS, For over two decades, NPF has strived to enrich our chil-
dren's musical, cultural and academic experience by infusing them with a
positive sense of who they are and a boundless sense of who they can
become and what they can achieve; it works to empower our children one
note at a time; and
WHEREAS, From its inception, NPF awarded scholarships to aspiring
violinists, enabling them to continue their education in music; in 1998,
it realized another distinct need by establishing the Noel Pointer
School of Music (NPSOM) to provide motivated children from economically
disadvantaged neighborhoods with intensive musical instruction; and
WHEREAS, NPSOM is proud to offer its students an experience in
cultural enrichment that enhances academic learning, social development
and personal expression; this goal is met by supplementing instrumental
instruction with music theory, music appreciation and music history; and
WHEREAS, NPSOM also believes that it is imperative to give our chil-
dren multiple opportunities to showcase their talents and share intimate
visits with established performing artists in the genre of string music;
and
WHEREAS, Beginning with a single program of only 18 students, NPSOM
has successfully created music programs in 28 New York City public and
charter schools in all five boroughs, serving more than 30,000 students;
in addition, it offers a summer program and has added a Saturday program
which has proved to be quite popular with children in the various commu-
nities it serves; and
WHEREAS, The success of NPF is in direct correlation to the efforts of
its 23 teaching artists, two Artistic Directors and five full-time
staff, 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 this vital institu-
tion and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Executive Director/CEO,
Chinita J. Pointer, NPF continues to positively affect the lives of our
children, maintaining a strong commitment to its mission while bringing
enjoyment through music to our children and their families, each and
every day; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; 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
commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the Noel Pointer Foundation on June
23, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chinita J. Pointer, Executive Director/CEO, the Noel Pointer
Foundation.