“The African-American experience in this nation is deep and varied and, quite frankly, fraught with both pain and injustice,” said Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge of the state Supreme Court, Civil Term, in his opening remarks last year. “It’s essential for us, all of us as a nation, to remember and reflect upon the African-American historical experience and to maintain eternal vigilance against the curse of racism and other corrosive ‘-isms.’”

Wednesday’s event will be one of the biggest of the month. It will feature Wé McDonald, a finalist from Season 11 of The Voice, who will sing the national anthem and the Black national anthem. A moment of silence is planned for Izetta Johnson, who was instrumental in establishing the court’s Black History Month Committee, and for late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, who passed away last year.

The month will go out in style, literally, as the judges and other court employees take part in the fashion show in the lobby of 360 Adams St. on Feb. 28, which will serve as the month’s closing ceremony. There will also be educational presentations and programs held throughout the month including one at the Criminal Court on Feb. 10 titled “The Crisis in Black Education” and a student challenge held at the Civil Court on Feb. 24.

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Brooklyn Courts close Black History Month with annual fashion show

January 31 | By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor