Senate Resolution No. 5196

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMEMORATING the Isese Festival NYC on June 3,
2018, celebrating African culture

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations and events which foster ethnic pride and enhance the
profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the
communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
Isese Festival NYC on Sunday, June 3, 2018, celebrating African culture;
and

WHEREAS, Isese Festival NYC, the annual celebration of traditional
African culture and spirituality, returns to Bedford-Stuyvesant; and

WHEREAS, Isese is a spiritual practice and philosophy originated in
Yorubaland, Nigeria, celebrating traditional African culture,
spirituality and worship, and seeking to uplift and unify all people of
the African diaspora; and

WHEREAS, The classic Brooklyn celebration is presented by Ogbe Sooto
Ifa Temple, the Fadara Group, 256 Healing Arts and the Asase Yaa
Cultural Arts Foundation and will begin with its traditional procession
to commemorate the people who have passed away this past year; and

WHEREAS, The procession will begin at the Asase Yaa Cultural Center,
located on Fulton Street, and will end at the corner of Tompkins Avenue
and Macon Street; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the festivities will continue throughout the
day with live music, ancestral masquerades, cultural displays, guest
speakers, music and food; a closing ceremony with libations and prayer
will complete the day; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event is free, open to the public and
family-friendly; people of all races, ethnic groups, backgrounds and
ages are welcome to join the entire program; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations and events which contribute to the
improvement and enhancement of the quality of life in the communities
they represent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Isese Festival NYC on June 3, 2018, celebrating African
culture; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ogbe Sooto Ifa Temple, the Fadara Group, 256 Healing Arts
and the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.