Senate Resolution No. 284 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its 2025 National Black Writers Biennial Symposium and paying tribute to this year's honoree, Tony Medina 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 2025 National Black Writers Biennial Symposium to be held at Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, March 29, 2025; 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 23 years; and WHEREAS, Tony Medina is a multi-genre author and editor of 25 award-winning books for adults and young people, celebrated for his excellence and contributions to Black literature; and WHEREAS, Born in South Bronx, New York, and raised in the Throggs Neck housing, Tony Medina is a United States Army veteran; and WHEREAS, Tony Medina earned his master's degree and PhD from Binghamton University SUNY; additionally, he was recently appointed the titles of Associate Chair and Director of Creative Writing in the Department of English at Howard University; and WHEREAS, Tony Medina's work appears in more than 160 anthologies and journals, including "Seven Steps to Heaven Haiku" and "I've Got the Covid Blues" which are featured in the Academy of American Poets' Poem-a-Day; and WHEREAS, Books for young people, including "Christmas Makes Me Think," "Love to Langston," "I and I: Bob Marley," and "The President Looks Like Me & Other Poems," are some of Tony Medina's outstanding literary works; and WHEREAS, Recent honors bestowed upon Tony Medina include the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People two times, the Arnold Adoff Poetry Award for Special Recognition, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the 2022 Audie Award for Young Listeners ("I and I: Bob Marley" audiobook); and WHEREAS, Most notably through the Center for Black Literature, Tony Medina has consistently pursued his passion of expanding, broadening, and enriching the public's knowledge and 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 Tony Medina 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 2025 National Black Writers Biennial Symposium and paying tribute to this year's honoree, Tony Medina; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Tony Medina.