Senate Resolution No. 291 BY: Senator PARKER LEGISLATIVE RESOLULTION honoring Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those enduring individuals and organizations which devote their purposeful energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of those they serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering pride among them; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Terrace on the Park, Queens, New York; and WHEREAS, The Young, Gifted, & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards were established in 2006 by Carl Gray as a platform to spotlight and celebrate everyday individuals who serve as positive role models, inspiring their peers through their accomplishments, perseverance, and contributions; and WHEREAS, Carl Gray's vision for the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards has remained steadfast in ensuring recognition is given to those whose contributions, though not always highlighted in mainstream media, have a profound and lasting influence within their fields and society; and WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El whose pen and artist name is Cozmo El, began his journey searching for a better and more fulfilling way of life at the young age of 14; he began to study Islam and joined the Moorish Science Temple of America Original Temple No. 43, and the Moorish Science Empire of the West where he studied and acquired the tools of an organizer and teacher; and WHEREAS, At the age of 16, Nathaniel Boothe El founded the Moorish Chess Club of Long Beach at Polytechnic High School; in college he was invited to become a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, the largest collegiate language society in the United States; he also served as President of both the Black Student Union and Pan African Student Union where he participated in social activism; and WHEREAS, In the Temple, Nathaniel Boothe El learned ecclesiastical-like Law and eventually passed through all positions of governing officials; he continued being an integral part of the Temple and the Moorish Divine and National Movement; and WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El established various businesses in an attempt to create economic empowerment, including Fez Market, Califa Fez Co., Moorish National Newspaper, Jinga Jinga Lounge, Seven Flavors Restaurant, The Peoples Store and The Good Life Marketplace; and WHEREAS, In 2013, Nathaniel Boothe El joined Moorish Science Temple California No. 101, where he was later appointed to the esteemed position of Grand Sheik by Grand Sheik Shaheed Ali El and the then Governor, Victor Taylor El; and WHEREAS, As the unity movement grew in California, Nathaniel Boothe El helped to establish a Grand Temple under the name of Grand Temple Califa, and served six years as Chairman of the Califa Grand Council overseeing six constitutional conventions; and WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe El currently serves as the National Grand Sheik of the Moorish Science Temple of America, a charity temple with branches in Los Angeles, Oakland, Arizona, New York and Hawaii; he is also the current CEO of the Moorish Science Temple California, Inc., the oldest Moorish American institution in California founded in 1974 by Sister Janell English El; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sister English El appointed Nathaniel Boothe-El as California Representative of Moorish Unity Summit, and together they produced The Moorish National Newspaper; and WHEREAS, Nathaniel Boothe-El is an established author and has written over 13 books and several articles on subjects which include: Moorish History, Ancient Language and Islamic Psychology; he resides in Hawaii where he has established a land development, farming and self-sustainable living project at the Aloha Moorish Retreat; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individuals and organizations which give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York, do so profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to the exercise of freedom; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Nathaniel Boothe El upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, February 26, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Nathaniel Boothe El.