Bill Text: NY J01134 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by Dance Africa

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-31 - ADOPTED [J01134 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01134-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1134

BY: Senator PARKER

        COMMENDING  Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson upon the
        occasion of her designation for special  recognition
        by Dance Africa

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to
the cultural enrichment of the State of New York, and to the success and
progress of society during their life's work; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commend  Patricia  Ghizamboule  Robinson  upon  the  occasion   of   her
designation for special recognition by Dance Africa; she will be honored
on  Friday,  May  26,  2023,  at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for Dance
Africa's Opening Night; and

  WHEREAS, Born and raised in  Jamaica,  Queens,  New  York,  Patricia
Ghizamboule  Robinson  attended  Lincoln  University and Pace University
where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees respectively; and

  WHEREAS, Patricia Ghizamboule  Robinson  is  an  artistic  director,
choreographer,  and  teacher, with her focus being rooted in traditional
and cultural arts of Africa, specifically West Africa; and

  WHEREAS, As a former dancer and Sabar drummer with several New  York
premier  African dance companies, Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson has over
three decades of performance experience which includes dance, drum,  and
theater art; and

  WHEREAS,  A  true  advocate  for the arts in her community, Patricia
Ghizamboule Robinson supports the Jamaica Arts  Leaders  of  the  Queens
Council  of  the  Arts,  Jamaica  Is  Arts Alliance, and the Jamaica Now
Leadership Council; and

  WHEREAS, Her unrelenting commitment to  dance  led  her  to  joining
various  renowned dance companies, including Wilhelmina Taylors' A Touch
of Folklore and More, Ladji Camara's Dance Company, Marie Basse Wiles  &
Olukose  Wiles'  Maimouna  Keita  School  of African Dance, and Youssouf
Koumbassa's Ballet Bagata and African Dimensions Collective; and

  WHEREAS, Additionally, Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson was a member of
Les Marrettes, the first all-female Sabar drum ensemble  in  the  United
States; and

  WHEREAS,  Her  love of theater led her to perform in several theater
productions, most notably Goin' Home and Julius Caesar Set in Africa; an
Audelco winning play showcased at the National Negro Theatre Conference;
and

  WHEREAS, Patricia  Ghizamboule  Robinson  traveled  to  Senegal  and
Gambia,  West  Africa in 1993 and 1994 for extended cultural research of
the dance, rhythms, songs, and history of  the  people  found  in  these
countries;  there  she  studied dance and drum with artists in Dakar and

members of the  National  Ballet  of  Senegal  at  the  Sarano  National
Theatre; and

  WHEREAS,  As  the Artistic Director of United African Dance Troupe &
FANIKE! African Dance  Troupe,  Patricia  Ghizamboule  Robinson  brought
young  dancers and drummers to present and uplift the ancestors for over
10 years at the Salute to the Ancestors event at the Weeksville Heritage
Center and the African Burial Grounds Center; and

  WHEREAS, The FANIKE! African Dance Troupe is a teaching company that
has hired international Cultural Consultants to expand  FANIKE!  African
Dance  Troupe's  repertoire;  the  company  incorporates dance, rhythms,
cultural traditions/events, costuming, props, song and  storytelling  to
create their own unique style; and

  WHEREAS,  The  FANIKE!  African Dance Troupe entertains and educates
its community  about  African  traditional  and  diasporic  culture  and
history;  in  2012, the Cultural Warrior Award was initiated and FANIKE!
has presented the award annually to members of the community who  strive
to strengthen and uplift their community; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are  brought  to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend   Patricia   Ghizamboule  Robinson  upon  the  occasion  of  her
designation for special recognition by Dance  Africa  2023;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson.