Senate Resolution No. 1431

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Harambee Achievement
Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
on April 8, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
honor Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc., to be feted at its 32nd Annual Harambee Celebration on
Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Medgar Evers College Cafeteria, in
Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a body
of national African American women's organizations and community based
sections; founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, the NCNW strives to
lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support
their families and communities through research, and national and
community-based services and programs on health, education, and economic
empowerment issues in both the United States and Africa; and

WHEREAS, Through 39 national affiliates and more than 240 sections,
NCNW has reached and supported nearly four million women; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc. was organized on January 22, 1962, at the Bedford YMCA by
Odessa L. Skeene, and received its Charter on March 12, 1962; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section maintains a strong commitment to its
young people through education, outreach programs, counseling and
recognition; it sponsors community ventures to enhance the health and
social services of residents through seminars, health fairs and voter
registration campaigns for self-empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd is receiving this prestigious award for her
exemplary academic accomplishments, community service and church
activities; and

WHEREAS, A senior at Benjamin Banneker High School, Sierra Ann Boyd
is an exceptional student and hopes to attend Howard University after
graduation; she aspires to be a published author of fiction, and
playwright, director and producer of musical theatre productions; and

WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd loves to sing with the Salisbury School of
Music in Brooklyn, and has written several short stories that have
appeared in her school newspaper; she has also shared her poetry at
various middle school and high school events and classes; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 2016, Sierra Ann Boyd had the great
opportunity to internship with Councilman Robert Cornegy, Jr.'s office
and assist with a few writing projects, including a weekly What's
Happening summer guide; and

WHEREAS, Since 2009, Sierra Ann Boyd has been a vital member of the
Brooklyn Chapter of Jack & Jill of America; through the years, she has
held the positions of Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and
Sergeant-at-Arms; and

WHEREAS, Sierra Ann Boyd has also been a participant of the New York
Chapter of Usher's New Look for the last seven years; she strives to
optimize and utilize the four pillars of service, Talent, Career,
Education and Service; and

WHEREAS, For the last year, Sierra Ann Boyd has been a member of NYC
Together, where she was able to participate in the creation of a mural
that sits on the outside of the 9th precinct, in hopes of bringing youth
and police officers together; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her mother, Ann Victoria
Rollins Boyd; her sister, Saydona Victoria; her brother, Sequoyah Sean
Mancrief; and her grandparents, Eleanor and Samuel Rollins; as well as
her late father, Vondel Mancrief Boyd, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of her life and rejoice in her accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in her accomplishments and
in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and
appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by her teachers,
minister, and family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sierra Ann Boyd upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sierra Ann Boyd.