Senate Resolution No. 2829

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc.
upon the occasion of hosting its 28th Annual
Performing Arts Youth Presentation "Kolama!" on June
10, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to
the cultural enrichment of the Empire 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 Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy upon the occasion of hosting
its 28th Annual Performing Arts Youth Presentation "Kolama!" on
Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the Walt Whitman Theater at the Brooklyn
Center for the Performing Arts in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The reception is hosted by Ifetayo's Parent Teacher
Coalition (PTC) and will feature a special performance from one of its
partner schools, PS 92; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1989, the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. is
an arts and cultural organization dedicated to supporting the creative,
educational and vocational development of youth and families of African
descent; it strives to enhance their lives by providing programs in
cultural awareness, performing and visual arts, as well as academic
enrichment, health and wellness, and professional skills development;
and

WHEREAS, Ifetayo's faculty consists of highly skilled professional
artists, scholars and experienced teachers, and includes published
poets, former directors of music schools, artists who have exhibited at
such venues as the Brooklyn Museum; it also has a host of performers
from such companies as Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, Jubilation
Dance Company, and the Miami City Ballet; and

WHEREAS, For 28 years, Ifetayo has taken a leadership role in
developing the community it serves by improving the quality of life for
its members; it is a supportive community and extended family able to
provide its students with skills development and new perceptions leading
to responsible decision-making; and

WHEREAS, Ifetayo's name comes from the West African Yoruba word
meaning "love brings happiness"; this is a guiding principle and the
foundation of its approach to the development and growth of its
students; and

WHEREAS, Ifetayo has been a pillar of strength in Flatbush and
surrounding neighborhoods, inspiring a new generation to reach high
levels of creative, personal and academic achievement; since 1989, it
has grown to serve a significant amount of students and their families
in seven major programs demonstrating their ability to involve and
retain young people whose needs are being met successfully; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director, Sandra
Bowie; Interim Associate Executive Director, Renee Smith; and Executive
Artistic Director, Dr. Angela Fatou Gittens; as well as its 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; 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
celebrate 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; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. upon the occasion of
hosting its 28th Annual Performing Arts Youth Presentation "Kolama!" on
June 10, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sandra Bowie, Executive Director; Renee Smith, Interim
Associate Executive Director; Dr. Angela Fatou Gittens, Executive
Artistic Director, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc.; and to the
Parent Teacher Coalition.