K 537: Commending Carl Clay upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women Queens County Section on June 8, 2025

 Assembly Resolution No. 537 BY: M. of A. Cook COMMENDING Carl Clay upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women-Queens County Section on June 8, 2025 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Carl Clay upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women-Queens County Section, to be celebrated at its 37th Annual Black and White Celebration of Honorees on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Antun's in Queens Village, New York; and WHEREAS, A resident of Queens since the age of six, Carl Clay attended PS 15, Newton High School, and Pace University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater and Education before attending Brooklyn College Graduate School where he studied TV and Theatre Directing under legendary Broadway director, Alan Schneider; and WHEREAS, Carl Clay received his screenwriting and directing training at the Maine International TV/Film Institute with Emmy Award-winning Director John Kotty and Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Kelly; in addition, Carl Clay studied at the Third World Cinema Training Institute and Columbia University School of Business at the Non-Profit Institute; and WHEREAS, Early in his career, Carl Clay taught as a teacher at PS 136 and with the New York Foundation on the Arts as an artist in the schools; from there, he went on to work at CBS TV News as a desk assistant to renowned newscaster Dan Rather; and WHEREAS, Carl Clay's industry break came when he was chosen from the Third World Cinema training program to work as an intern for Melvin Van Peeble's Whiz Group; mentored by Melvin Van Peebles and Cliff Frazier, his first feature film was "Greased Lighting" starring Richard Pryor and Pam Grier; he received his first film acting part and served as a producer's assistant; he was later inducted into the Los Angles film union IATSE and SAG; and WHEREAS, As the founder and CEO of Black Spectrum Theatre, Carl Clay has produced over 450 plays and written and directed 27 films aimed at African American youth, including one feature length film entitled "Let's Get Bizzle," starring Doug E. Fresh; this esteemed honoree has also proudly produced over 40 jazz concerts with such artists as Carl Thomas, Case, Lil' Mo, Roy Ayers, Roberta Flack, Freddie Hubbard, and Najee; and WHEREAS, With a great depth of experience in the industry, Carl Clay has written over 20 plays and taught and trained over 1,000 actors, and is credited with helping launch the careers of notable actors such as Lisa Carson, Byron Mims, Desiree Coleman, and David Baptist; and WHEREAS, For his years of excellent work, Carl Clay has been awarded five AUDELCO Awards as Producer of the Year for theatre productions: "Two Trains Running," "Kingfish," "Deadwood Dick, Legend of the West"; and WHEREAS, As a renowned lyricist, Carl Clay has written songs for Black Rob and Ludacris, as well as for four Roy Ayers albums and for popular rap artist J. Cole on his album "KOD"; and WHEREAS, Carl Clay, a man of extraordinary talent, received an ASCAP Music Lyricist Award for his songs in the motion picture "Coffy," and received a 1st Place Annual Women's Media Award for his lyrical contributions in the ABC TV special, "Turkey Treasure"; and WHEREAS, Carl Clay is also the recipient of a National Library Association Award for his groundbreaking film "Babies Making Babies," as well as an International Film and TV Festival Bronze Medal Award for "The Follower" and "Clear Vision"-two films about male responsibility in teen pregnancy; and WHEREAS, In 2000 and 2001 Carl Clay's film "Urban Encounters" and "Justice is Done" were given National Black Programming PBS awards for outstanding youth programming; he is also the recipient of numerous city, state, and civic citations for outstanding professional achievement; and WHEREAS, Committed to the success of his community, Carl Clay has served as a volunteer for the National March of Dimes, The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, The New York City Teen Pregnancy Task Force, Operation Read Aloud, and The American Health Foundation; he is a member of the Los Angles IATSE union, a Prince Hall Mason, and the co-chairman of the Coalition for Theatres of Color in New York City; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Carl Clay upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the National Council of Negro Women-Queens County Section; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Carl Clay.