Title
Honoring and recognizing the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School Basketball Team for their hard work, determination, and success upon winning the 2019 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 1A Boys’ Basketball State Championship.
Body
WHEREAS, Sankofa is a Freedom School that focuses on African-centered pedagogy to empower their students, fight for equality and equity in their schools, and prepare others to lead their younger brothers and sisters; and
WHEREAS, Sankofa Freedom Academy was founded in the Kensington neighborhood only ten years ago by Ayesha Imani, who hired Isaiah Thomas as their Associate Dean of Students, Director of Athletics, and Head Basketball Coach, where Thomas was eventually recognized as Basketball Coach of the Year in the Philadelphia Public League; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Head Coach Isaiah Thomas and Assistant Coach Ameen Akbar, the Sankofa Warriors Basketball Team won the 2019 PIAA 1A Boy’s Basketball Championship, with a score of 83-61; and
WHEREAS, The success and talent of the Sankofa Warriors Basketball Team is further demonstrated by their victory in the District XII Championship for the past three years in a row; and
WHEREAS, Team Captain Kobe Devine, along with players Jaymes Savage, Derrius Ward, James Fowler, Khalil Turner, Symir Priester, Canaan Boswell, Kiko Hall, Alfonse Bowman, Tyrell Livingston, Shyheim Oliver, Scott Spann, Josiah Johnson, Tymir Milburn, Nymier Brooks, and Michael Hargrove have all exhibited excellence in their sport, as is apparent in their PIAA Championship victory, as well as many of the boys’ numerous Division 1 College acceptances for their skills in both academics and basketball; and
WHEREAS, The Sankofa Warriors Basketball Team, along with the leadership of their coaches have brought the title of Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Champions to the Sankofa Freedom Academy for the first time in their school’s history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize Sankofa Warriors Basketball Team for their hard work, determination, and success upon winning the 2019 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 1A Boys’ Basketball State Championship.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Sankofa Warriors Basketball Team as evidence of the sincere admiration and support of this legislative body.
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