Black History Month Committee’s Fashion Show Extravaganza provides a vehicle for employees to strut their stuff

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The Kings County Courts Black History Month Committee recently held its 28th annual “Fashion Show Extravaganza” closing ceremony at 360 Adams Street, transforming its lobby into a runway for judicial and non-judicial court models. 

“A Century of Black History Commemorations” was the theme of the event, which took place the afternoon of March 9.

A time of reflection 

Committee Co-chair Leah Richardson told the Brooklyn Eagle that the closing ceremony for the Black History Month program means a great deal to her. 

“It’s a time for us to come together and celebrate our heritage with colleagues and members of the community,” Richardson said. “For me personally, it’s also a time of reflection on the vision of our trailblazer, Izetta Johnson, and the legacy she created through our Black History Month programs.”

Johnson, who spearheaded the Fashion Show Extravaganza, was a dedicated employee of the New York State Unified Court System for some 35 years. She developed and led many important projects, including the award-winning Summer Youth Employment and Internship Program. Johnson died in 2016 at the age of 59.

“Izetta once asked me if I would take the fashion show over and bring my own vision to it,” Richardson recalled. “Because of her inspiration and guidance, we have been able to grow it into the extravaganza it is today.”