Senate Resolution No. 1467
BY: Senator PARKER
HONORING Corey "CL" Llewellyn upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Strategic Vision
Award in Music Entertainment & Media Management by
Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards, Inc.
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals whose strategic vision, entrepreneurial leadership,
and cultural influence have transformed industries, elevated creative
voices, and expanded opportunity across media, entertainment, and
business; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to honor Corey
"CL" Llewellyn, music executive, media innovator, and entrepreneur, upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Strategic Vision
Award in Music Entertainment & Media Management by Young, Gifted, &
Black Entrepreneurial Awards, Inc., on Wednesday, February 25, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 2006 by Carl Gray, Young, Gifted, & Black
Entrepreneurial Awards, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
recognizing distinguished individuals of color across the Americas, the
Caribbean, and Africa, celebrating "Unsung Heroes and Heroines" whose
leadership, resilience, and service have made a lasting impact across
business, media, culture, and community development; and
WHEREAS, Born in Greenburgh, New York to Jamaican parents, Corey
Llewellyn was raised within a strong family foundation that instilled
discipline, cultural pride, and entrepreneurial confidence, shaping a
trailblazer whose work would help redefine the relationship between
music, technology, and marketing; and
WHEREAS, Entering the music industry at the age of 17, Corey
Llewellyn distinguished himself early through relentless drive, creative
insight, and strategic acumen, building a career that now spans more
than 25 years of leadership in promotion, marketing, and media
innovation; and
WHEREAS, His extensive professional resume includes senior and
directorial roles at major music and media institutions, including
National Director of Rap Promotion at Elektra Music Group, Director of
A&R at Sony/Crave Records, Vice President of Promotions at Cornerstone,
Associate Editor at Fader Magazine, and Co-Founder of Cornerstone's 1200
Squad, Cornerstone Mixtapes, and Fader Magazine; and
WHEREAS, As a co-owner of the independent record label American
King, Corey Llewellyn played a pivotal role in the success of
chart-topping artists, including MIMS, whose hit single "This Is Why I'm
Hot" became the first rap song to sell more than one million ringtones,
marking a milestone in digital music commerce; and
WHEREAS, Among his most enduring and influential achievements is the
founding of Digiwaxx Media in 1998, an independent music marketing and
promotions agency specializing in DJ culture, music innovation, and new
urban culture, widely regarded as a pioneering force in digital music
distribution and promotion; and
WHEREAS, Under Corey Llewellyn's visionary leadership, Digiwaxx
evolved from an early digital content platform into a comprehensive
online and offline marketing agency, serving major global brands
including Microsoft, Monster Cable, PUMA, and ADIDAS, while preserving
and honoring the core elements of hip-hop culture; and
WHEREAS, His strategic insight has helped bridge the digital divide
within urban music, growing Digiwaxx into a dynamic multimedia ecosystem
that includes a widely respected weekly DJ call, the "New Music
Wednesdays" podcast, and an online radio platform that continues to
influence music discovery and industry engagement; and
WHEREAS, Through innovation, mentorship, and cultural stewardship,
Corey "CL" Llewellyn has consistently uplifted artists, DJs, executives,
and creatives, shaping the future of music entertainment and media
management while remaining rooted in authenticity and community; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Corey "CL" Llewellyn upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Strategic Vision Award in Music Entertainment & Media
Management, and to commend his extraordinary contributions to music,
media innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Corey "CL" Llewellyn as an expression of the highest
respect and appreciation of this Legislative Body.
