BWBA and CALA celebrate Black History Month with focus on the arts

The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) and the Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA) hosted a Black History Month event on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Brooklyn Bar Association, marking a milestone for CALA as its first in-person Black History Month event.

This year’s national theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” attempts to capture the profound influence of African American art on various cultural expressions, including visual and performing arts, literature, and music.

The robust turnout underscored the community’s eagerness to engage with the rich tapestry of African American cultural contributions. BWBA President Jovia Radix, expressing her anticipation for the annual celebration, credited Hon. Genine Edwards, the BWBA’s Black History Month chair, for her diligent efforts in organizing the event. 

“I look forward to this every year,” Radix said. “Thank you to everyone who helped out under the guidance of our Black History Month chair, Hon. Genine Edwards, who works very hard to make sure that we are in shape to do this.”

Hon. Sylvia Hinds-Radix echoed the sentiment, particularly acknowledging the pioneering role of Hon. Betty Staton in the Family Court and the foundational impact of such trailblazers. 

“Hon. Betty Staton was one of the first Black judges in the Family Court,” Justice Hinds-Radix explained. “When I tell you about an individual who paved the way, she is one of those individuals whose shoulders a lot of us stand.”

The event featured a distinguished panel, including Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Eric Edwards and Richard Beavers, with Karlyne Fequiere moderating the discussion. Panelists shared their personal journeys, the pivotal role of the arts in Black culture, and the ways in which artistic expression has served as a means of preservation, empowerment, and resistance.