New York J 1573: Honoring the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards for its continued commitment to celebrating cultural leadership, global citizenship, and community empowerment

Status: ADOPTED (as of 2026-02-10)

State: New York · Session: 2025-2026 · Bill: J 1573

Sponsors: Kevin S. Parker

Bill Text

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J01573 Summary:

BILL NOJ01573 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPARKER

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Go to top J01573 Actions:

BILL NOJ01573 

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02/06/2026REFERRED TO FINANCE

02/10/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

02/10/2026ADOPTED

Go to topJ01573 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ01573 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ01573 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 1573

BY: Senator PARKER

 HONORING the Young, Gifted, & Black
 Entrepreneurial Awards for its continued commitment
 to celebrating cultural leadership, global
 citizenship, and community empowerment, and for
 bestowing the Global Citizen Icon Award upon
 Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III

 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions and initiatives that preserve cultural heritage,
advance global unity, and uplift communities through principled
stewardship, visionary leadership, and service grounded in tradition and
innovation; and

 WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards, upon the occasion of
its presentation of the Global Citizen Icon Award in Cultural Identity,
Diaspora Advancement, and Socioeconomic Empowerment on Wednesday,
February 25, 2026, celebrating exemplary leadership rooted in culture,
service, and global responsibility; and

 WHEREAS, Established in 2006 by founder Carl Gray, the Young,
Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to recognizing and celebrating distinguished individuals of
color whose leadership and service have made lasting global impact,
while uplifting excellence grounded in community, culture, and purpose;
and

 WHEREAS, In furtherance of this mission, the Young, Gifted, & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards has selected Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the 26th
occupant of the Ofori Kuma Stool of Akuapem and King of the Akuapems
(Okuapehene), as the recipient of the Global Citizen Icon Award in
Cultural Identity, Diaspora Advancement, and Socioeconomic Empowerment,
in recognition of his exemplary stewardship of tradition, commitment to
socioeconomic advancement, and leadership within the global African
diaspora; and

 WHEREAS, Born Odehye Kwadwo Kesse Antwi on February 24, 1986,
Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III ascended the Ofori Kuma Stool on May 3, 2020,
following his selection as the eligible heir to his late uncle,
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, thereby continuing a revered lineage of
traditional authority, cultural guardianship, and service to the Akuapem
people; and

 WHEREAS, Rooted in royal heritage through both parental lineages of
the Agona and Asona clans, His Majesty embodies the values of
discipline, faith, service, and leadership instilled through an
upbringing dedicated to cultural continuity and national service; and

 WHEREAS, His Majesty pursued academic and professional excellence in
Ghana and the United States, completing his secondary education at
Presbyterian Boys' High School (PRESEC) in Legon, Ghana, earning an
Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration from Westchester

Community College in Valhalla, New York-where he was inducted into the
Alpha Beta Gamma Business Honor Society-and later earning a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry,
New York; and

 WHEREAS, While residing in New York City, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III
gained extensive experience in hospitality management, operations, and
entrepreneurship, holding leadership roles at The Mark Hotel, Empire
City Casino, and Crowne Plaza Times Square, and founding American Link
Estates LLC, reflecting a global perspective shaped by diaspora
engagement; and

 WHEREAS, Upon returning to Ghana, His Majesty co-founded Jupe Global
Company Limited, a business consulting and investment facilitation firm
committed to transforming emerging and struggling enterprises into
sustainable ventures across agriculture, waste recycling, healthcare,
and technology, aligning economic growth with social responsibility; and

 WHEREAS, As Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III has articulated a
forward-looking vision for peace, unity, justice, and sustainable
development within O

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