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File #: 180297    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 4/5/2018 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 4/5/2018
Title: Honoring Iyanla Vanzant's life, accomplishments and contributions to the fields of spirituality and personal development.
Sponsors: Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Gym
Attachments: 1. Signature18029700.pdf
Title
Honoring Iyanla Vanzant's life, accomplishments and contributions to the fields of
spirituality and personal development.

Body
WHEREAS, Iyanla Vanzant has had a 30 year-long distinguished career in which she continues to be honored for her writing, public speaking, life coaching, and spiritual teachings. Throughout her career, she has published 18 books, six of which are New York Times best sellers, and has played a leading role in two television shows, multiple speaking tours, and countless radio and television features. Her formal titles as life coach, ordained priestess, spiritual healer, and attorney are not what defines her: she is also a devoted mother, a grandmother, a prayer warrior, and student of life; and

WHEREAS, Iyanla Vanzant's life is a "living testament to the value in life's valleys". Vanzant has had to overcome much adversity on her journey to success. She was born in the Brooklyn projects, and her mother died when she was just two years old. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood, she suffered from physical and sexual abuse. Iyanla was once a single mother relying on public assistance to help with the cost of raising her family. From this troubled history, she gives God the credit for being able to overcome. Her journey through the valley has only strengthened her relationship with God, and has given her the motivation to dedicate her career to the spiritual uplifting of women of color; and

WHEREAS, Against all odds, Vanzant has received three degrees of higher education, in which she has graduated with distinguished honors. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in public administration from Medgar Evers College. She went onto receive her law degree from the inaugural law school class at the City University of New York. After deciding to pursue a different career path, she received her Master's degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Her educational career is evidence of her ...

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