DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The fourth installment of the meet-and-greet between members of the judiciary and Brooklyn Girl Scouts, “Black Judges, Black Girls in Conversation,” took place Sunday night at Peaches Prime, 590 Fulton St.
The event brings together experienced judges and aspiring young minds to foster connections, provide access and raise awareness about opportunities in graduate and law school.
It also aims to sow seeds for career development and inspire the future of Black girls, according to Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver Durrah, who developed the program with Judge Wavny Toussaint, a presiding justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Term.
Durrah is also the founder and CEO of the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic, a community-based initiative that provides residents and local organizations with guidance, resources and support to help them navigate legal, business and civic challenges.
The NTAC has been creating programs relevant to members of Durrah’s community for nearly 40 years. Eventually, she realized that women needed an outlet to give back to their neighborhood, particularly in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
“One day, I approached Judge Toussaint and said, ‘Why don’t we get together and do something — create a mentoring program for Black girls? The objective would be to show them that they could be anything they want to be,’ and the rest is history,” she told the Brooklyn Eagle.
Eighteen Girl Scouts between the ages of 10 and 18 were introduced, as well as 17 judges. The justices discussed their educational background, the women they most admire and details about their current professional roles.
Participating judges included Germaine Auguste, Jacqueline Williams, Sharon Clarke, Claudia Daniels-DePeyster, Cenceria Edwards, Sharon Bourne Clarke, Igna O’Neale, Pamela Patton Fynes, Cheryl Gonzales, Monique Holamon, Yvonne Lewis, Ellen Edwards, Tawanna St. Louis, Rhonda Tomlinson, Michelle Weston, Robin Sheares and Toussaint.
Hon. Wavny Toussaint paying a special tribute to Hon. Michelle Weston. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
The “Dinner and Conversations” portion of the evening consisted of several intimate one-on-one discussions between judges and scouts.
Several mini presentations were also given during the event. Williams presented “Justice for All: Community Service and Civic Engagement.” “Spirituality and Well-being” was presented by Patton Fynes, and a special tribute to Weston, “Honoring a Living Legend,” was presented by Toussaint.
In 1990, Weston became the first African American woman elected to the Kings County Supreme Court in the Second Judicial District. She also broke barriers as the first Black female associate justice of the Appellate Term in 1993.
“I look out at all of your faces and see that my future is in good hands,” Weston said.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
