I.B.10 – MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE - HONORARY DEGREE TO BE AWARDED AT THE COLLEGE’S ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ON MAY 31, 2014

RESOLVED, that the Medgar Evers College of the City University of award Albert Vann the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the college's 43rd annual commencement ceremony on May 31, 2014.

EXPLANATION: Albert Vann has a long and distinguished career as an elected official, educator and community activist in his home community of Bedford Stuyvesant where he was born and raised. A former Councilman of District 36 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of , former New York State Assemblyman of District 56, founder of Medgar Evers College, former principal of a community school and founder and Executive Member of the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association, Al Vann merits an h onorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. He is an outstanding civic leader who has distinguished himself in government and education over the last five decades.

Albert “Al” Vann

Albert Vann has a long and distinguished career as an elected official, educator and community activist in his home community of Bedford Stuyvesant where he was born and raised. A former New York City Councilman of District 36 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, former New York State Assemblyman of District 56, founder of Medgar Evers College, former principal of a community school and founder and Executive Member of the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association, Al Vann merits an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. He is an outstanding civic leader who has distinguished himself in government and education over the last five decades.

Vann represented his home community, the 56th AD in the New York State Assembly from 1974 to 2001 and in the late 1970s was elected to Chair the NYS Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus. He held this position in 1977-1978, 1981-1982 and from 1989-1994. Vann led the U.S. Supreme Court fight that prevented the racial gerrymandering of the NY City Council. The court case led to increased representation of communities of color in the Council. In addition, he also filed a 1982 lawsuit that forced the NY State Legislature to significantly increase representation of communities of color on the state and federal levels. His landmark victory led to the creation of two additional Congressional Districts, three additional State Senatorial Districts, and six additional Assembly Districts for communities of color in NY State. Because of Vann's leadership in the NY State Assembly, Medgar Evers College had its status as a four-year institution restored in 1994.

Vann attended New York City public schools and graduated from the Franklin K. Lane High School. He earned his B.B.A. from Toledo University, his Master's Degree in Education from and his Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Long Island University. Prior to attending college, he joined the Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Following his return to civilian life, he had a distinguished career in the field of education as an administrator, teacher and advocate. His experience included teaching and senior administrator (Principal) at P.S. 256, JHS 35 and JHS 271, all in Brooklyn. He is also a former instructor at Vassar College's Urban Center for Black Studies.