DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee hosted its annual AAPI Heritage Month program on the afternoon of May 6. “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together” took place at Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, in courtroom 2.95.
The committee honored Kwok Kei Ng, Esq, and the New York State Courts Asian Jade Society, an organization that aims to provide a voice for the Asian community within the New York State court system and encourage diversity and education.
Ng, an associate court attorney at New York City Civil Court—Kings County, has served as assistant law clerk in the Supreme Court, Civil Term, in Kings County and is also a former court interpreter for both New York state and federal courts.
Entertainment was provided by magician Su Xiong Wu, Korean Traditional Dance of Choomnoori, and Chinese classical dance by Helen Zhu and Claire Mao.
Hon. Joanne Quinones, chair of the Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee, noted that AAPI Heritage Month, observed annually in May, honors the history, culture and contributions of Americans with roots in Asia and the Pacific Islands. The term AAPI includes a wide range of communities, such as East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islanders.
“This year’s AAPI theme highlights the transformative impact of collective strength and building bridges,” Quinones said. “This month’s theme is all about collaboration, inclusion and mutual support.”
Henry Chen, president of the Asian Jade Society, spoke about the formation of the society, which goes back to the late 1990s when he was a court officer in Bronx Criminal Court.
“I always wondered to myself, ‘Why don’t we have our own Asian society?’” Chen recalled.
From left: Hon. Biju Koshy; Hon. Joanne Quinones; Hon. Genine Edwards, administrative judge for Civil Matters; Vivian Lu; Henry Chen, president of the Asian Jade Society; Court Officer Chris Nardi; Peter Tran; Yang Chen, executive director of the Asian American Bar Association; and Court Officer Lt. Mido Mary Wu. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Chen discussed his interaction with Major Sammy Lam, the first major in the courts of Asian descent, and his various discussions about creating the organization. However, it wasn’t until decades later that the topic was finally approved, and the rest is history.
Vivian Lu, an Asian Jade Society member, said that the organization does more than just bring people together. “It creates lasting connections, fosters inclusion and builds a genuine sense of togetherness,” Lu said. “They’re constantly supporting growth, connection and community.”
Progress worth celebrating
Upon receiving his award, Ng called the day “incredibly meaningful” and referred to the courthouse as a meaningful, collaborative and diverse engine.
Korean Traditional Dance of Choomnoori entertains the crowd. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
“People will only grow stronger when they get to know each other, learn from each other and work together,” Ng said. “That type of collaboration is one of the most powerful tools we have in achieving justice, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here today.”
“As we all know, public confidence in the judiciary is essential to the rule of law,” Ng continued. “We have certainly come a long way, and that progress is worth celebrating.”
The Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee, formed in November 2021, was created to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all court users, including litigants, court staff and the general public.
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