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    Indelible Legacy

    February 27, 2025
    New York County Supreme-Civil Courthouse, Lower Manhattan

    Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge and honoree Norman St. George, and New York County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors Milton Tingling
    Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge and honoree Norman St. George, and New York County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors Milton Tingling

    First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George received the prestigious Theodore Jones Legacy Award at a ceremony at Manhattan’s 60 Centre Street courthouse hosted by the UCS Committee to Celebrate Black History Month, the Tribune Society, Inc. and the Judicial Friends Association.

    The award honors members of the bench who embody the deep commitment to public service and passion for justice of its trailblazing namesake, a longstanding State Supreme Court Justice in Brooklyn and the fourth African American to sit on New York’s Court of Appeals.

    Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson and New York County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors Milton Tingling were among the many distinguished guests at the February event, which aptly took place in the Court’s grand and historic rotunda.

    Birds-eye view of the 60 Centre Street rotunda on February 27
    Photo: Birds-eye view of the 60 Centre Street rotunda on February 27 

     

     

    Influential Figures

    February, 2025
    Suffolk County Courts, Long Island

    Photo: Honorees Captain Lydell Thompson and retired Court Attorney Adrienne Williams with (L-R) Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Valerie Cartright, Anastasia Williams (daughter of Adrienne), performer Corey J., Administrative Judge Andrew Crecca, Suffolk County Family Court Judge Mary Porter, and Supervising Judge of the Supreme Court-Matrimonial Parts Cheryl Joseph
    Photo: Honorees Captain Lydell Thompson and retired Court Attorney Adrienne Williams with (L-R) Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Valerie Cartright, Anastasia Williams (daughter of Adrienne), performer Corey J., Administrative Judge Andrew Crecca, Suffolk County Family Court Judge Mary Porter, and Supervising Judge of the Supreme Court-Matrimonial Parts Cheryl Joseph 

    The Suffolk County Courts, with support from the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association and the Suffolk County Bar Association, celebrated Black History Month with a series of captivating events highlighting this year's theme, “African Americans and Labor.”

    On February 6, the Suffolk court complex in Central Islip hosted a screening of “Pullman & The Railroad Rebellion,” chronicling the story of the Pullman Porters, whose labor rebellion set the stage for the civil rights movement.

    The following week, the Central Islip complex was the site of a legal education program, presented by local attorney-history Rudy Carmenaty and focused on baseball player Curt Flood's legal challenge to Major League Baseball's reserve clause, which paved the way for free agency in professional sports.

    The County's events commemorating Black History Month culminated with a celebration and awards ceremony on February 28 during which Administrative Judge Andrew Crecca presented Captain Lydell Thompson—the Suffolk County Courts' first African American to hold the titles of Lieutenant and Captain—with the Hon. Toni A. Bean Award for his distinguished, longstanding service. The award bears the name of the late Suffolk County District Court judge and stalwart member of the African American legal community. Retired court attorney Adrienne Williams was also honored for her 30-plus years of service to the Suffolk courts and her contributions to the County's legal community, earning the Hon. Marquette L. Floyd Award, named for the County's first African American District Court judge and Supreme Court justice.

    Throughout February, the Suffolk County Courts displayed exhibits capturing this year's theme, with the courts' Black History Month Planning Committee designing informative and creative displays depicting influential Black figures in the nation's labor movement for court employees and visitors alike to learn from and enjoy. 

     

     

    Fashion, Food, and Fun

    February 27, 2025
    Queens County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, Kew Gardens

    Court Officers-turned-models Miguel Torres, Pierre Threat, Kimberly Moses, and Reinaldo Crespo at the Queens County Supreme-Criminal Courthouse on February 27
    Photo (L-R): Court Officers-turned-models Miguel Torres, Pierre Threat, Kimberly Moses, and Reinaldo Crespo at the Queens County Supreme-Criminal Courthouse on February 27

    The Queens County Supreme Court-Criminal Term's Ceremonial Courtroom transformed into a fashion runway as Court Officers and other court professionals modeled clothing and accessories from the past, highlighting African Americans' influence on iconic trends of the ‘20s, ‘70s and ‘80s and the fashion industry at a Black History Month celebration hosted by the Court's Equal Justice Committee. Each “model” at the Court's “Black Fashion Through the Decades” program was tasked with creating their own look, with members of the Committee providing the props.

    The program featured in-house choir Crim Keys, led by Senior Court Clerk Jeanetta Johnson who, along with the choir members, selected the songs to introduce each fashion decade. Queens County Supreme-Civil Court Senior Court Clerk Ramon Vega took the role of DJ, and a live band accompanied Court Officer and soloist Afua White.

    The fashion show was the brainchild of Sgt. Damani Nyahuma, who began planning for Black History Month, which falls in February, in November 2024. Queens County Supreme-Criminal Court Attorney Jennifer Saint-Preux managed the event, with the Committee meeting regularly to coordinate the many moving parts that made the show such a success. Along with the iconic clothing and musical performances, these included the savory fare from Black-owned restaurant Rockaway Fish House, the Committee's delicious home-baked desserts, and Court Officer Lakeya Whittaker's festive decorations.

    Queens County Supreme-Criminal Chief Clerk Sherise Ellison, Lt. Jestina Collins, and Corrections Officer Latoya Dixon step back in time, donning styles from the Roaring 20s
    Photo (front to back): Queens County Supreme-Criminal Chief Clerk Sherise Ellison, Lt. Jestina Collins, and Corrections Officer Latoya Dixon step back in time, donning styles from the Roaring 20s 

     

    Queens County Supreme-Criminal Senior Court Reporter Angela Moody channels the disco era at the Kew Gardens court's Black fashion show
    Photo: Queens County Supreme-Criminal Senior Court Reporter Angela Moody channels the disco era at the Kew Gardens court's Black fashion show 

     

     

    Passing the Torch

    February 19, 2025
    Appellate Division, Second Dept., Brooklyn

    William Thompson Jr. (left) with Justices Edwards and Green, recipients of the prestigious William Thompson Sr. Award, at the Second Department's February 19th Black History Month event
    Photo: William Thompson Jr. (left) with Justices Edwards and Green, recipients of the prestigious William Thompson Sr. Award, at the Second Department's February 19th Black History Month event 

    Kings County Supreme Court Justices Cenceria P. Edwards and Desmond A. Green were among the recipients of the prestigious Hon. William C. Thompson Sr. Award in honor of their contributions to the legal profession and community. Named for the late Appellate Division, Second Department Associate Justice who blazed a path as Brooklyn's first African American state senator, the awards were presented at a ceremony in mid-February at the Appellate Division, Second Department courthouse in Brooklyn.

    Appellate Division, Second Department Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle welcomed the many distinguished guests, who included Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George, Deputy Chief Administrative Judges Edwina Richardson and Adam Silvera, Justice Thompson's son, the former New York City comptroller William Thompson Jr., and Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Antioch Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Robert M. Waterman delivered both the invocation and benediction, with Second Department Associate Justice Paul Wooten introducing the honorees.

    Kudos to the awardees—who also include former U.S. Attorney Breon Peace—and a special thanks to the Second Department's partners for their co-sponsorship of this special Black History Month event: the Brooklyn Bar Association, Brooklyn Women's Bar Association, Judicial Friends Association, Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and Caribbean American Lawyers Association.

    Presiding Justice LaSalle addresses the attendees at the mid-February awards ceremony
    Photo: Presiding Justice LaSalle addresses the attendees at the mid-February awards ceremony
    Judges Zayas, St. George, Richardson and Silvera and District Attorney Gonzalez join hands during the closing benediction at the Second Department's William C. Thompson Sr. awards ceremony
    Photo (L-R): Judges Zayas, St. George, Richardson and Silvera and District Attorney Gonzalez join hands during the closing benediction at the Second Department's William C. Thompson Sr. awards ceremony

     

     

    Struggles and Achievements

    February 4, 2025
    Queens County Supreme Court-Civil Term, Jamaica

    The New York State Court Officer Honor Guard at the opening of the Queens County Supreme Court-Civil Term's Black History Month event in early February
    Photo: The New York State Court Officer Honor Guard at the opening of the Queens County Supreme Court-Civil Term's Black History Month event in early February 

    Queens County Supreme Court's Civil Term commemorated Black History Month with an inspirational program emceed by award-winning journalist Cheryl Wills, the first African American woman to host a primetime cable network newscast and the author of an acclaimed book series on her family's heroic transition from slavery to freedom in the U.S.

    Administrative Judge Marguerite A. Grays, who introduced Ms. Wills, and Queens County Supreme Court Justice Nicole McGregor Mundy were among the distinguished speakers at the event, which highlighted African Americans' contributions to the labor movement.

    The New York State Court Officer Honor Guard opened the program with the Presentation of Colors. The program also featured a performance by ordained minister and recording artist Rashad McPherson.

    Administrative Judge Grays introduces award-winning journalist Cheryl Wills, who emceed the event
    Photo: Administrative Judge Grays introduces award-winning journalist Cheryl Wills, who emceed the event
    Administrative Judge Grays and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson enjoy the uplifting music featured at the Queens court's February 4th Black History Month celebration
    Administrative Judge Grays and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson enjoy the uplifting music featured at the Queens court's February 4th Black History Month celebration

     

     

    Past, Present, Future

    February 6, 2025
    Monroe County Hall of Justice, Rochester

    Rochester City Court Supervising Judge Barrett at the podium as Monroe County Commissioner of Jurors Perreaud, and Monroe Deputy Commissioner of Jurors Rainford-David unveil the statue bearing Mr. Douglass’s likeness
    Photo (L-R): Rochester City Court Supervising Judge Barrett at the podium as Monroe County Commissioner of Jurors Perreaud, and Monroe Deputy Commissioner of Jurors Rainford-David unveil the statue bearing Mr. Douglass’s likeness 

    A statue bearing the likeness of prominent abolitionist and intellectual Frederick Douglass now adorns the atrium of the Monroe County Hall of Justice in Rochester. The work of local artist Olivia Kim and on loan from the City of Rochester, the sculpture was unveiled by Monroe County's Commissioner of Jurors Charles Perreaud and Deputy Commissioner of Jurors Donna Rainford-Davis at a ceremony on Thursday, February 6, marking Black History Month.

    Opening the ceremony, Seventh Judicial District Administrative Judge William K. Taylor spoke of the significance of having the statue displayed in what he referred to as “the people's court,” where last year over 16,000 Monroe County jurors entered the building to fulfill their civic duty.

    First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George shared with attendees his thoughts on the intrinsic value of preserving the legacies of pioneers such as Mr. Douglass, a former slave who devoted his life to the pursuit of justice. Driving home the point, Judge St. George cited Mr. Douglass, a gifted orator: “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future.”

    City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans described the sculpture as “a living embodiment of freedom and justice,” with Rochester City Court Supervising Judge Melissa Barrett comparing the statue's placement at the Court's entrance to that of welcoming mats and flowers at the entryway of our homes.

    Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson was also among the distinguished speakers at the uplifting ceremony. Following the speakers' remarks, attendees were invited to visit the Court's fifth-floor Black History art gallery, dedicated to influential figures who shaped the labor movement.

    Administrative Judge Taylor, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George, attorney and past president of the New York State Bar Association T. Andrew Brown, and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Richardson
    Photo: Administrative Judge Taylor, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George, attorney and past president of the New York State Bar Association T. Andrew Brown, and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Richardson 
    Judges Richardson and St. George place flowers at Frederick Douglass's gravesite at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester
    Photo: Judges Richardson and St. George place flowers at Frederick Douglass's gravesite at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester