A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR KAREN ALEXANDER-BANKS, FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE AUNTIE KAREN FOUNDATION, FOR HER twentieth LEGENDS OF CONCERT SERIES.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn of the good work being done by Karen Alexander-Banks and the Auntie Karen Foundation for residents and students across the Palmetto State through the Legends of Concert Series; and

Whereas, Ms. Alexander-Banks founded the Auntie Karen Foundation, a certified State of South Carolina charitable corporation, on October 31, 2001. The foundation's mission is to create and implement a series of reproducible community outreach programs designed to empower, enlighten, and educate children and adults through the arts; and

Whereas, the Legends of Concert Series was created to keep the legacy of African American music alive by celebrating the achievements of legendary awarding-winning recording artists of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues fame. Series events take place at the prestigious Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia; and

Whereas, the concert series is designed to not only entertain but also enrich the cultural landscape by promoting the arts as a source of inspiration and unity. The series attracts people from across the State and from neighboring states such as Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee; and

Whereas, the concert series was inaugurated in 2004 with four-time Grammy winner Roberta Flack. The 2005 concert featured jazz artist Dianne Reeves, the 2006 concert showcased the artistry of Al Jarreau in a sell-out performance, and Patti Austin presented a remarkable performance in 2007; and

Whereas, since 2006, the Legends of Concert Series has included a Legends of Master Class, a one-day event created by Karen Alexander-Banks in partnership with Richland School District One and the University of South Carolina School of Music; and

Whereas, other Legends of Concert Series artists included: Joe & Take 6 (2008), George Duke & Rachelle Ferrell (2009), Ashford & Simpson (2011), Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds (2012), Ramsey Lewis & Patti Austin (2012), Gladys Knight (2013), "A Tribute to George Duke" featuring Kirk Whalum, Layla Hathaway & Jonathan Butler (2014), Chaka Khan (2015), Al Jarreau with The South Carolina Philharmonic (2016), "A Tribute to Prince" featuring Sheila E & Morris Day and The Time (2018), The Isley Brothers (2019), Stephanie Mills & Peabo Bryson (2020), Vanessa Williams with The Colour of Music Orchestra (2021), Jeffrey Osborne & Lalah Hathaway (2022), and "A Tribute to Al Jarreau" featuring Kirk Whalum, Regina Belle, Chris Walker & Bob James (2023); and

Whereas, this year's concert will take place on February 23, 2024 and is titled "A Testament To Our Faith." The event will celebrate twenty years of dedicated service from the Auntie Karen Foundation and its volunteers, partners, and sponsors by featuring three gospel music legends: Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, and Hezekiah Walker; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the Auntie Karen Foundation's focus on attracting tourism to the city of Columbia and building a vibrant and equitable cultural community.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Karen Alexander-Banks, founder and CEO of the Auntie Karen Foundation, for her twentieth Legends of Concert Series.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Karen Alexander-Banks.

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