Kings County Courts celebrate diversity at third Annual Unity in Diversity Fair

November 13, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee with Guest Speakers: Chief Administrative Judge Hon. Joseph Zayas (center, in blue) stands with Hon. Joanne Quinones (to his right) and other members of the EJC, along with keynote speakers, celebrating the third annual Unity in Diversity Fair at Kings County Supreme Court. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

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The Kings County Supreme Court hosted the third Annual Unity in Diversity Fair on Oct. 30, marking its largest celebration yet of Global Diversity Awareness Month. Organized by the New York State Courts’ Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (EJC), the event, co-sponsored by 24 organizations, showcased the rich diversity of the court system and its surrounding community.

Originally held in a smaller space, the fair has outgrown its initial venue and now occupies the court’s jury room. The nearly 100 attendees, including judges, lawyers, court employees and jurors, were welcomed by the NYS Courts Pipes and Drums and the Ceremonial Unit.

Hon. Joanne Quinones, chair of the Second Judicial District EJC, opened the event with remarks highlighting the importance of fostering inclusivity. Administrative Judges Hon. Matthew D’Emic and Hon. Lawrence Knipel also addressed the crowd, underscoring the court’s commitment to equity.

“This has become the 2nd EJC’s signature event,” said Justice Quinones. “Some of these organizations have been here since year one, others are here for the first time, but all are steadfast in their efforts to foster unity and respect for all cultures in our courts and in our communities.”

Co-sponsor tables lined the room, featuring the Asian American Bar Association of New York, the Asian Jade Society, the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Brooklyn Brandeis Society, the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Kings County, the Columbia Society, the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, the Dominican Bar Association, the Emerald Society, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, the Guardians Association of the NYS Courts, the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York, the Iranian American Bar Association, the Jewish Lawyers Guild, the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York, the Latino Court Officers Society, the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Red Hook Virtual Court Action Network, the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, the Sankofa Society, the South Asian Bar Association of New York and the Tribune Society, all offering cultural insights and food to attendees. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Chief Administrative Judge Hon. Joseph Zayas, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Hon. Edwina Richardson-Mendelson and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for NYC Courts Hon. Adam Silvera delivered keynote remarks. Judge Zayas highlighted the importance of reflecting New York City’s diversity within the court system.

“Our court system must have broad-based diversity in all of our non-judicial titles,” Zayas said. “This diversity is indispensable to delivering fair and equal justice.”

The fair featured tables from various organizations, each showcasing cultural foods and desserts. Participating groups included the Asian American Bar Association of New York, the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, the Guardians Association of the NYS Courts and the Iranian American Bar Association, among others.

Special remarks were given by Major Henry Chen, president of the NYS Courts Asian Jade Society; Fara Tabatabai, president of the Iranian American Bar Association; and Court Officer Kevin Carter, president of the Guardians Association of the New York State Courts. Tabatabai shared her personal story of growing up as an Iranian immigrant, noting how far the legal profession has come in embracing diversity.

Lissette Morales and Ronald Cosme Jr., co-chairs of the Unity in Diversity Fair Sub-Committee, helped organize the event and ensured its success. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Attendees explore the fair, enjoying food and cultural displays as they engage with representatives from diverse legal and community organizations. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

From left: Hon. Michael Farkas, Richard Klass, Brooklyn Bar Association President Anthony Vaughn Jr. and Hon. Joseph Zayas. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

The Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts performs with a quartet of horn players, closing out the event with a lively musical performance. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Court Officer Kevin Carter, president of the Guardians Association of the New York State Courts. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Fara Tabatabai, president of the Iranian American Bar Association, reflects on her journey as an Iranian immigrant and the progress made toward inclusivity in the legal profession. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Major Henry Chen, president of the NYS Courts Asian Jade Society. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Hon. Edwina Richardson-Mendelson, deputy chief administrative judge for justice initiatives, speaks with her trademark cheer. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Hon. Joseph Zayas, chief administrative judge, delivers remarks on the importance of diversity in the court system. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

The New York State Courts Pipes and Drums performed during the opening ceremony, setting a celebratory tone for the event. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

Hon. Joanne Quinones addresses attendees. As EJC chair, she has transformed the committee into a dynamic group hosting regular courthouse events that promote inclusivity across Brooklyn. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese

“One of my memories that I grew up with, and I promise you that a lot of Iranian immigrants have the same memory — of my father instructing me never to tell anyone I was from Iran and if I was absolutely pressed on my background, I was supposed to tell people I was Persian because it sounded nicer,” she said. “The message to me was very clear: we’re not trying to ruffle any feathers. We can celebrate our culture and identity, but we do it in private.”

Tabatabai reflected on how the legal profession has transformed over the years. “Now I look around this room and see a public celebration of what makes each community unique. The legal profession looks so much different than it did a decade ago. Walking around this room, I get a very different message than the one I had growing up, and that is that this profession has a wide tent, and there is room for everyone’s perspective.”

The event concluded with a performance by the Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts.