Senate Resolution No. 561 BY: Senator PARKER HONORING Shauna Fung Yee upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a 2023 Women-N-Motion Empowerment Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives of service to their community and their profession; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Shauna Fung Yee upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a 2023 Women-N-Motion Empowerment Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program to be celebrated at its Awards Brunch on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Simpson Restaurant and Bar, Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded by Carl O. Gray, the Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards Program recognizes individuals who continue to reach levels of great success through hard work and determination, proving to be inspiring role models to their community and peers; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month, this auspicious occasion features several outstanding women who are leaders, motivators, business professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs; and WHEREAS, Shauna Fung Yee is a Jamaican-born renowned Caribbean radio producer, marketing and communications strategist, music publicist, music business consultant, A&R executive, songwriter, and former international hair model; she has a 21-year track record working at some of Jamaica's leading radio stations, and 18 years of experience working in the music business, which has given her the opportunity to associate and work with some of the powerhouse players from the Caribbean, South America, and Africa; and WHEREAS, Her illustrious career in radio began in 1999 at Hot 102 FM as a producer for veteran radio broadcaster Barry Gordon, followed by KLAS ESPN Sports Radio in 2001; in 2006 she joined Power 106 FM and its sister station Music 99 FM as a business development executive, copywriter, and producer; and WHEREAS, On September 30, 2020, Shauna Fung Yee resigned from radio to focus wholeheartedly on her brand as a music business consultant, to continue her studies in journalism, and to invest quality time in her company, Down 2 Earth Productions (D2E), the only Caribbean music business company to represent African and Latin artists since 2015, and its subsidiary company Down 2 Earth Agency, a business development and management consulting firm; and WHEREAS, Shauna Fung Yee established Down 2 Earth Productions in 2004, a fully integrated music company representing some of the world's premier music luminaries and offering a full suite of services; dubbed "Caribbean Home of Afrobeats and Latin," it is the only of its kind in the Caribbean and is the Caribbean home to various African and South American artists; and WHEREAS, In 2019, she partnered with List Entertainment, home to global Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, and Africa's biggest talent management company owned by Sunday Are, Nigeria's and Africa's most influential music business manager; and WHEREAS, Due to her network of elite corporate figures, in 2020, Shauna Fung Yee established Down 2 Earth Agency; its clientele includes: Jamaica's Nigeria High Commission; Jamaica Stock Exchange, which is ranked as one of the world's top stock exchanges; ICWI, one of the Caribbean's leading insurance companies; Bridge 99 FM, Jamaica; Hott 93 FM, Trinidad and Tobago; The Wave FM, St. Lucia; and VOB 92 FM, Barbados; and WHEREAS, In late 2022, Shauna Fung Yee wrote two songs, one to be featured on one of Kenya's top music stars forthcoming album, and the other for a Columbian Reggaeton artist; both songs are set to release in 2023; and WHEREAS, A music business mentor and connoisseur, Shauna Fung Yee appreciates all music genres and has a knack for the business side of music; she continues to strive to make a positive contribution to the global music industry as well as to aspiring and emerging music professionals; and WHEREAS, Shauna Fung Yee's years of experience and resilience give her insight into the ever-changing music industry and the corporate world, by associating with various music stars and business leaders from different cultures and countries; her work is truly an expression of who she is and what she represents; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to giving back, over the years she has given of her time and energies to inner-city schools in Kingston and organizations such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Shauna Fung Yee has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend individuals of outstanding character, who have shown initiative and commitment toward constantly pursuing higher goals for themselves, and acting as role models of leadership to be emulated by both peers and young people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Shauna Fung Yee upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a 2023 Women-N-Motion Empowerment Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Shauna Fung Yee.