Bill Text: NY J00572 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Christeen Francis upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a 2023 Women-N-Motion Empowerment Award by the Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards Program

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-21 - ADOPTED [J00572 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00572-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 572

BY: Senator PARKER

        HONORING  Christeen  Francis  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
Christeen Francis 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, A Social Worker by profession, Christeen  Francis  is  also
the   Founder  and  CEO  of  Having  P.U.R.P.O.S.E,  Inc.,  a  nonprofit
humanitarian  organization  focusing  on  improving  education,  health,
social  and  economic  systems one community at a time in Africa and the
Caribbean; and

  WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission to be good agents of positive
empowerment for  the  Caribbean  and  Africa,  this  vital  organization
empowers  the  community  by  coordinating service through volunteerism,
collaborations, and the creation of coalitions; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, she is the founder of two social  enterprises,
Vacationing  with  Purpose,  which provides vacationing opportunities to
people who want to volunteer and give  back  in  meaningful  ways  while
vacationing  in  some  of  the  most  beautiful places in Africa and the
Caribbean, and Having Purpose Entertainment, which  allows  entertainers
across  different  genres  to get involved in communities where they are
performing; and

  WHEREAS, In this capacity, Christeen Francis has  collaborated  with
renowned  artists  such  as  Pam Hall, Eric Donaldson, and Half Pint, as
well as Bahamian reggae  artist  Endel  Major,  St.  Lucian  Artist  Taj
Weekes, and South African cover band All Nations; and

  WHEREAS,  Christeen Francis is also working on the Great African Art
Banner  (GAAB),  themed  "Paint  the  Africa  You  Want",  an  ambitious
Pan-African  initiative  using  art  to  visualize  the role of Africa's
Afro-optimism -  which  emphasizes  the  continent's  modernity,  exudes
positivity,   and   celebrates   'African-ness'   -   as  a  driver  for
technological progress, political reform,  and  confidence  in  Africa's
vibrant cultures to drive prosperity to actualize the African Union (AU)
Agenda 2063; and

  WHEREAS,  Under the able leadership of Christeen Francis, GAAB seeks
to harness the power of the finest creators  in  visual  arts,  fashion,
music and literature to amplify the actualization of the AU Agenda 2063;
the  initiative brings together artists of African origin to create a 56
km banner featuring art work from  the  55  nations  recognized  by  the
African  Union  and  the 56th "nation" representing the African Diaspora
and persons of African descent; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit  of  others  which  Christeen  Francis 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  Christeen  Francis  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 Christeen Francis.