News  Cultural Appreciation Week 2024 Theme, Logo, 'Signature Sites' Announced

This year's Cultural Appreciation Week (CAW), the 8th Annual, will take place October 21 - 25, 2024, in courthouses and court offices throughout the state and feature more than 100 events. The celebrations, free and open to the public, are planned by the Cultural Proficiency Champions, also referred to as Champions. The Trial Court is believed to have the largest celebration of culture and diversity by any court system in the country. This year's heart-shaped multi-color logo was designed by Trial Court Graphic Designer and Video Editor Aaron Leon.

"In the words of Maya Angelou, 'all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter the color.' We are a human tapestry of unique threads. We gain commitment through connections. When we strengthen our connections, long-term positive changes are possible," said Dr. Carmen Gomez.

Dr. Gomez became the lead organizer of the celebration when Pamerson Ifill was appointed the Massachusetts Commissioner of Probation. It was Commissioner Ifill who first introduced Cultural Appreciation Day to the Massachusetts Courts.

Commissioner Ifill organized a group of primarily Massachusetts Probation Service employees who are referred to as Champions. Due to the success of the first Cultural Appreciation Day, then Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey designated the celebration as CAW.

The Champions, more than 300 Trial Court employees across the state, plan and put on these celebrations. Last year's events featured a live Latin Rock band, Naturalization ceremonies, author talk, a speech by a Civil Rights icon, art and museum exhibits, dance, a cultural attire fashion show, cooking demonstrations, as well as food tastings. The Champions will participate in a planning session for CAW 2024 at the Massachusetts Training and Operations Center (MTOC) on September 16, 2024.

This year's CAW "Signature Sites," locations visited by court leaders and local officials, have also been announced. They are as follows:

• Monday, 10/21 – Somerville District Court; Cambridge District Court/Malden District Court; & Edward Brooke Courthouse/Land Courts, Boston.
• Tuesday, 10/22 – MPS Training and Operations Center (MTOC); Clinton & Framingham Community Justice Support Center (CJSC).
• Wednesday, 10/23 – Northampton District Court & Hampshire Superior Court.
• Thursday, 10/24 – Northern Berkshire District Court & Pittsfield District Court.
• Friday, 10/25 – New Bedford District Court & Fall River Justice Center.