Metropolitan Black Bar Association to honor ACLU President Deborah Archer at gala

May 3, 2023 Rob Abruzzese
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The Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) is gearing up for their 39th Anniversary Awards Gala, themed “Expanding Our Reach: Prominence. Presence. Professionalism.” The black-tie event, hosted by WNBC award-winning anchor David Ushery, will take place at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on Friday, May 19, 2023.

The MBBA’s prestigious gala will bring together notable NYC elected officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, among others. The evening will honor distinguished legal professionals who have made a significant impact in the legal community and beyond.

“At the Metropolitan Black Bar Association’s 39th Anniversary Awards Gala, we will celebrate our work of promoting diversity and inclusion, providing professional development opportunities, and working towards a more just legal system,” said Carl Forbes, Jr., president of the MBBA.

“This year’s Gala theme is ‘Expanding Our Reach: Prominence. Presence. Professionalism.’ Our theme speaks to the opportunity we have to enhance our service to the Bar and community with the collective support of our members and partners. We are excited to honor our outstanding honorees who support the work we do and who positively impact the Bar and community every day.”

This year’s honorees are Deborah Archer, President of the ACLU and Professor of Clinical Law at NYU School of Law, as Trailblazer of the Year; Camille Chin-Kee-Fatt as Public Servant of the Year; Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, as Jurist of the Year; Conway Ekpo, Director & Associate General Counsel at Brex, as Corporate Counsel of the Year; and Nexus U. Sea, Partner at O’Melveny, as Private Practitioner of the Year.

“We carefully select our honorees every year and this is one our most diverse years of honorees,” Forbes said. “Each practices and presents the law in a variety of ways and truly deserve to be honored by their peers.”

The 2023 Gala promises a night filled with celebration, featuring a cocktail reception, seated dinner, awards presentation, dancing, and music by DJ Niara Sterling and a live performance by Thurston O’Neal. Nate Saint Victor, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Engine No. 1, serves as the 2023 Gala Chair.

Join the Metropolitan Black Bar Association for their 39th Annual Anniversary Gala on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

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