Majority Leader Cumbo Joined by Speaker Corey Johnson and Members of City Council to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Forever Loved Entertainment's I WILL GRADUATE Program
Press Release
November 27, 2019
Lauren Dorvil, (646) 740-6233
Ldorvil@council.nyc.gov
Jessica Osei, (718) 385-3133
Josei@iwgprogram.com
Phone: (718)385-3133
Website: www.iwillgraduateprogram.com
NEW YORK, NY - New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo joined Speaker Corey Johnson and colleagues to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Forever Loved Entertainment, a cultural organization dedicated to uplifting students and fostering academic success. Founded in 1999 by JP Taylor and Tonya Lewis-Taylor, Forever Loved Entertainment Inc. is the parent organization of the non-profit organization, Entertainers 4 Education Alliance Inc. and the I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program in celebration of their 20th year of service to the NYC youth and community.
The I WILL GRADUATE Program has supported inner city youth to achieve and succeed for the past two decades. Starting from humble beginnings, Forever Loved Entertainment is housed in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where it continues to impact the lives of students and service the community. Combining art, music, and educational empowerment, the Taylors have built an empire dedicated to helping students reach their fullest potential.
"Thank you to Forever Loved Entertainment Inc. for using art as a tool for positive change," said New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-35, Brooklyn). So often in Black and Brown communities, we tend to view art as a privilege of the upper class, when in reality, it lives all around us. As a supporter of the arts, I deeply value the historic impact of music on our communities. From the shores of West Africa to the boroughs of New York City, music has played an instrumental role in shaping our cultural, social, and spiritual development. Through programs like I WILL GRADUATE we can continue to march to the beat of our own drum. Blazing new paths toward success, achievement, and creativity, I am excited for 20 more years of empowerment, community, and togetherness."
Forever Loved Entertainment has tirelessly worked to influence students and impart to them the importance of education by hosting many stay-in-school concerts and launching yearly poster campaigns, featuring music icons and well-regarded entrepreneurs like Daymond John, Tyrese, Kanye West, Mary Mary, Bow Wow, Omar Epps, Coldplay and more.
"I am extremely grateful for this prestigious honor to be given to Forever Loved Entertainment in. conjunction with our 20 years of service to the Greater New York area youth and community," said Co-Founder and Executive Director Tonya Lewis Taylor. We love what we do and are very passionate about inspiring, connecting and empowering our youth! We could not be more excited about receiving this proclamation.
Executive Director Tonya Lewis Taylor and Speaker Corey Johnson.
Executive Director Tonya Lewis-Taylor shares powerful moment with Councilmember Adrienne Adams through song.
"The Bedford Stuyvesant-based I WILL GRADUATE youth development program helps enhance work to create a pipeline to academic and professional success. Communities like Bed-Stuy and Northern Crown Heights have experienced disinvestment, underinvestment, and unequal investment in our schools, and I have been committed to turning that tide, said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-36 Brooklyn.) I would like to commend Executive Director and Co-Founder, Tonya Lewis, and Forever Loved Entertainment Inc. for their commitment and dedication to empowering students, families, and the community.
"As a former NYC public school teacher, I applaud Forever Loved Entertainment for striving to boost graduation rates in our city," said NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-25 Queens.) "The robotics and coding education, martial arts and cultural programs they offer keep children engaged at school and help them to graduate. I am pleased to join Majority Leader Cumbo in recognizing all that Forever Loved Entertainment has done for NYC youth."
"One course, one mentor, one mind has the potential to change an entire community. The I WILL GRADUATE Program transforms obstacles into opportunities to make a college education and career a reality for all students across Brooklyn. I proudly join my colleagues in recognizing your incredible milestone----- twenty years of youth empowerment. I look forward to building on your legacy for years to come," said Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-45, Brooklyn.)
"For 20 years I WILL GRADUATE has focused on improving and raising the graduation rates of our City's children," said Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-41, Brooklyn.) This work has not only improved the lives of the community I represent but also in our lives in our state and our country. So I thank I WILL GRADUATE for their years of service and look forward to seeing another generation of youth benefit from their work."
For photos, click here
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New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo represents the 35th District, which covers Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Fort Greene and Prospect Heights. She is a member of several committees: Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations, Finance, Higher Education, Public Housing, Women and Gender Equity, and Justice System. Council Member Cumbo is also a member of the Women's Caucus and the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.