Courthouse talent and Black creativity on display during Valentine’s Day BHM event

February 26, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The Kings County Courts Black History Month Committee hosted a Talent Show on Valentine’s Day in the state Supreme Court, where court employees got to show off a bit of their personalities. Pictured from left to right: Suzanne Neysmith, associate court clerk; Nicole B. Smith, court clerk specialist and co-chair, Subcommittee for Valentine’s Day Program; and Leah Richardson, systems engineer and co-chair of the Kings County Courts Black History Month Committee.
Photos: Kimberly Castro-Oliver/Brooklyn Eagle

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In celebration of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, the Kings County Courts Black History Month Committee transformed the courtroom at 320 Jay Street into a vibrant stage for a talent show that brought together court employees in a celebration of creativity and community on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

The talent show, co-chaired by Justice Deborah Dowling and Leah Richardson and hosted by master of ceremonies Shaqwan Gardner, was part of the committee’s month-long theme, “African Americans and the Arts: Creativity is the heart and soul of African-American People.”

The event was adorned with decorations that paid homage to both Black History Month and the day of love, creating a festive atmosphere for the attendees. It aimed to showcase the diverse talents within the court community, from singing and dancing to spoken word, and to foster a sense of inclusiveness and diversity.

Among the standout performances was Ada Milian, an associate court clerk, who captivated the audience with her baton twirling, and Danny Tavares, a network engineer, who provided vocal accompaniment. The event also featured a powerful spoken word performance by Shoshanna Johnson and a musical rendition by the Hon. Claudia De Peyster, which had the audience on their feet. The talent show concluded with Court Analyst Terrell Lane being crowned the winner.

With reporting by Kimberly Castro-Oliver.