2024 -- H 7412

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LC004777

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

WELCOMING DR. AMINA BLACKWOOD MEEKS TO THE RHODE ISLAND STATE

HOUSE AND COMMENDING HER FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING COMMUNITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
McEntee, Tanzi, Fellela, Kennedy, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks began her illustrious career as a successful

journalist, but to the good fortune of children and bibliophiles around the world, she chose to

devote her copious talents to restoring the old Jamaican tradition of storytelling; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Meeks holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and is an acclaimed Actress and

Storyteller, the Founder/Artistic Director, Ntukuma, The Storytelling, as well as an award-

winning writer; and

     WHEREAS, Orating her stories in both English and Jamaican, Dr. Meeks’ stories are not

only entertaining, but they also teach important lessons to children. Good manners and behavior,

the importance of telling the truth, and how to be kind and loving are all woven into her beautiful

words, both educating and helping children to understand the world and celebrate their roots; and

     WHEREAS, Admired and recognized by her peers, Dr. Meeks has amassed myriad

honors including being an Inductee in the Caribbean Hall of Fame, receiving the Gold Star of

Cayman, and being named the Best Actress, ITI Actor Boy Awards, and Best Actress, Tallawah

Drama Festival, UWI, Mona; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Meeks has been a host of speaking engagements across the Caribbean,

Africa, Europe and North America, and as part of the Annual FundaFest Celebration hosted by

the RI Black Storytellers and the Jamaican Association of RI, she is graciously sharing her talents

and visiting Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Described as “A special and rare talent” and “One of the most dynamic and

charismatic proponents of storytelling…” Dr. Meeks is eminently worthy of our recognition and

applause; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

warmly welcomes Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks to the Rhode Island State House and commends

her on her many contributions to the international storytelling community. We moreover wish

her much happiness, good health and plenteous continued success; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks.

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