Today: Judges to share their stories as Black Jurists during panel discussion

A panel featuring Suffolk Probate and Family Court Judge Janine D. Rivers and Appeals Court Judge Kenneth V. Desmond Jr. on their experiences as Black jurists will take place today, Thursday, October 22, from 1-2 pm.

The panel is among many discussions on race and culture taking place across the Commonwealth during the 4th annual Cultural Appreciation Week, October 19-23. Massachusetts Court employees are encouraged to attend via Zoom link: Join here, Meeting ID: 161 928 8897, Passcode: 317535

Appointed in 2017 by Governor Charles Baker, Janine D. Rivers became the Associate Justice of the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court. Judge Rivers has over 20 years of legal experience, concentrating in Probate, Family and Juvenile law and four years of social work experience with the Department of Children and Families in Dorchester.

Appeals Court Justice Kenneth V. Desmond Jr. was appointed to his current position in 2016. In 2012, Governor Deval Patrick appointed him as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court. Judge Desmond was appointed by Governor Mitt Romney in 2005 as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court and subsequently became the presiding justice in Dorchester Drug Court. Judge Desmond formerly served as a an Assistant District Attorney, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department.

In addition to the panel, there will be a Spoken Word performance, "BLACK WOMAN HOLLA," by Regina Robinson, former Boston School Committee member, and videoclips spotlighting court employees’ reflections on “What culture means to me.”

This event was organized by Cultural Proficiency Champions: Probation Office Manager Tawauka Bryant, who will moderate the panel; Massachusetts Probation Service Administrative Attorney Nickeisha Davidson, and Housing Court Administrative Assistant Aster Hishe.