Bill Text: NY J01951 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending the Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its 2024 National Black Writers Conference and paying tribute to this year's honoree, Peniel L. Joseph

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-12 - ADOPTED [J01951 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01951-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1951

BY: Senator PARKER

        COMMENDING  the  Center  for Black Literature upon
        the occasion of  hosting  its  2024  National  Black
        Writers Conference and paying tribute to this year's
        honoree, Peniel L. Joseph

  WHEREAS,  It is the intent of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to  recognize  and  pay  tribute  to  those
organizations  which  foster  ethnic  pride  and  enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of  the  communities  of
New York 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 Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
2024  National  Black  Writers  Conference  to  be  held at Medgar Evers
College, City  University  of  New  York,  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  on
Saturday, March 23, 2024; and

  WHEREAS,  Founded  in 2002, the Center for Black Literature (CBL) at
Medgar Evers College of the City  University  of  New  York  (CUNY)  has
served  the  interests  of  the people of the Empire State by expanding,
broadening, and enriching the public's  knowledge  and  appreciation  of
Black  literature  by  people of the African Diaspora and of the African
continent for 22 years; and

  WHEREAS, Esteemed author and professor, Peniel  L.  Joseph  will  be
celebrated  for his excellence and contributions to Black academic study
and civil rights; devoted to the furtherance  of  engaged  research  and
scholarship  centered  on  the  ways  that  issues of race and democracy
affect individuals' lives, he has been instrumental in  the  advancement
of our communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Peniel  L.  Joseph's entries into the Black literary canon
and academia have  bolstered  our  comprehension  of  our  perspectives'
singularity  which  can  cultivate  and  elevate  our  society, ensuring
recognition of all individuals' voices; and

  WHEREAS, Holding a joint professorship at Lyndon  B.  Johnson  (LBJ)
School  of  Public  Affairs and the History Department in the College of
Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, Peniel L.  Joseph  is
also  the  founding  director  of  the  Center for the Study of Race and
Democracy at both LBJ's School and  Tufts  University  where  he  was  a
professor previously; and

  WHEREAS,  Peniel  L.  Joseph's  concentration  has  been Black Power
Studies which is comprised of interdisciplinary fields such as  Africana
studies,  law  and  society,  women's  and ethnic studies, and political
science; and

  WHEREAS, As a frequent contributor on issues of race, democracy, and
civil rights, Peniel L. Joseph  is  also  the  award-winning  author  of
Waiting  'Til  the Midnight Hour:  A Narrative History of Black Power in

America and Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack  Obama;
and

  WHEREAS,  Peniel  L. Joseph's most recent book, Stokely: A Life, has
been deemed the definitive biography of Stokely Carmichael, the man  who
popularized the phrase, "black power"; and

  WHEREAS, Additionally, Peniel L. Joseph is credited with editing The
Black  Power  Movement:  Rethinking the Civil Rights-Black Power Era and
Neighborhood Rebels: Black Power at the Local Level; and

  WHEREAS, Most notably  through  the  Center  for  Black  Literature,
Peniel  L.    Joseph  has consistently pursued his passion of expanding,
broadening,  and  enriching  the  public's   knowledge   and   aesthetic
appreciation  of  the value of the literature produced by Black writers;
and

  WHEREAS, The Members of the New  York  State  Senate  recognize  the
incredible  accomplishments  and authorship of this inspiring leader and
show appreciation for the excellent work Peniel L. Joseph will  continue
to contribute to the community; and

  WHEREAS,  In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Center for
Black Literature has demonstrated the value of uplifting the  voices  of
Black  writers  from all walks of life, providing a space for growth and
education, while providing platforms for success; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend the Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
2024 National Black Writers Conference and paying tribute to this year's
honoree, Peniel L. Joseph; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Peniel L. Joseph.