On November 28, 2023, the Judicial Friends Association marked its 42nd anniversary with the prestigious Rivers, Toney & Watson annual dinner, commemorating the pioneering achievements of African American judges in New York City.
The event, held at Terrace on the Park in Queens, honored the first African American judges in the city’s history – Judges Francis Rivers, Charles Toney and James Watson.
The Judicial Friends Association, founded in 1976 to advocate for fair treatment of African American judges, judicial staff and attorneys, has since expanded to encompass all four federal districts in New York. This year’s gala recognized Chief Judge Rowan Wilson; Justice Dianne Renwick of the Appellate Division, 1st Dept.; and Justice Deborah Dowling of the Appellate Division, 2nd Dept.
The dinner, which began in 1980, honors Judges Francis E. Rivers, Charles E. Toney and James S. Watson, pioneers in their field, with Rivers being the highest-ranking Black judge in the nation when elected to the New York City Court in 1943.
Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, New York State’s first chief judge of color, delivered a poignant address at the gala, reflecting on the vital roles played by Judges Rivers, Toney, and Watson in shaping the judiciary. He highlighted Rivers’ instrumental role in creating the Harlem Municipal Court, which led to the election of Judges Toney and Watson.
“This was at a time when all of them could not be members of the ABA because they were Black,” Chief Judge Wilson said in amazement. “We should not forget or underestimate the effort it took Assemblyperson Rivers to create that court so that African Americans had the prospect of election to judicial office.”
Chief Judge Wilson emphasized the collective effort to improve New York’s legal landscape, highlighting the importance of the Harlem Community Justice Center as a symbol of this mission and a tribute to the legacy of Judges Rivers, Toney, and Watson.
“I’ll leave you with…
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