Bill Text: NY J00293 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 293

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring Khari Edwards upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-02-04 - ADOPTED [J00293 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00293-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 293

BY: Senator PARKER

        LEGISLATIVE  RESOLULTION honoring Khari Edwards 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
Khari  Edwards  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,  Khari  Edwards is a distinguished leader with more than 25
years  of  experience  in  public  service,  healthcare,  and  community
advocacy; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  and  raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, to immigrant
parents from Guyana and Trinidad, Khari Edwards has dedicated his career
to  addressing  racial,  health,  and  civic  disparities   within   his
community; and

  WHEREAS,  Currently,  Khari  Edwards serves as the Head of Corporate
Responsibility at Ayr Wellness, where he  leads  initiatives  to  foster
inclusivity  and  create  opportunities within the cannabis industry; in
this role, he has overseen  the  impactful  Changing  Legacies  program,
which has successfully expunged hundreds of nonviolent criminal records,
offering individuals a second chance and a fresh start; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  his  work  at Ayr Wellness also advances the
company's mission to be a "Force for Good" by promoting equity,  access,
and  opportunity  for  communities impacted by social and racial justice
polices; and

  WHEREAS, Khari  Edwards  previously  served  as  Vice  President  of
External  Affairs  at  Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, where he played a

pivotal role during the COVID-19 crisis; emerging as a fearless advocate
for both patients and healthcare workers, he risked his  job  to  ensure
their voices were heard; and

  WHEREAS,  Khari Edwards invited CNN to Brookdale, shining a national
spotlight on the hospital's challenges and the resilience of its  staff;
additionally,  he  was  instrumental  in  leading vaccination efforts in
Central Brooklyn, ensuring equitable access to life-saving  vaccines  in
underserved communities; and

  WHEREAS,   Throughout   his   tenure  at  Brookdale,  Khari  Edwards
spearheaded  initiatives  that  addressed   systemic   disparities   and
strengthened  community  trust; he founded the "It Starts Here" program,
connecting over 2,200 students with victims of gun  violence  to  foster
healing and understanding; and

  WHEREAS,  Khari  Edwards'  commitment  to  community  extends beyond
healthcare; as the Brooklyn Community Connector  for  Make-A-Wish  Metro
New  York,  he  helps  fulfill  life-changing  wishes  for children with
critical illnesses; he is also a sought-after speaker, regularly invited
to participate in panels and forums on health equity and social  justice
reform; and

  WHEREAS,  A  proud  graduate  of New York City public schools, Khari
Edwards earned his degree in  Liberal  Arts  from  Thomas  Edison  State
University;  he  continues  to  live  in  Crown  Heights  with his wife,
Jahmila, and their three children-Ethan, Niah, and Myles; and

  WHEREAS, Today, a candidate for Brooklyn Borough President in  2025,
Khari  Edwards  is  committed to leveraging his extensive experience and
deep community connections to create a  more  equitable  and  prosperous
Brooklyn;   his  campaign  focuses  on  uniting  the  borough's  diverse
communities, improving healthcare access, promoting public  safety,  and
fostering economic opportunity; 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 Khari Edwards 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 Khari Edwards.