On the evening of Dec. 5, a gathering of family, community members, and colleagues convened to celebrate the induction of Justice Sharon Bourne-Clarke into the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
The ceremony, filled with anticipation and joy, featured speeches by Justice Knipel, the administrative judge of Kings County Supreme Court Civil Matters; Hon. Wavny Toussaint, presiding justice of the Appellate Term 2nd, 9th and 11th Judicial Districts; and Hon. Mercedes Narcisse. Adding a personal touch, her niece Meagan King performed Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” echoing Bourne-Clarke’s resilience and commitment to her community.
Justice Bourne-Clarke’s path to this esteemed position began long before her 2014 appointment as a Civil Court judge. From her junior high years, she embodied the principle of being her brother’s keeper, a commitment recognized by the District Attorney’s Office for her contributions within her school and community.
Throughout three decades, Bourne-Clarke has been a pillar of civic engagement and public service. She has mentored students and delivered speeches at renowned institutions, including Harvard Kennedy School and Brooklyn College High School Academy. Her efforts extend to organizing court visits and Know Your Rights Programs for students and community members.
Inspired by a Supreme Court decision and Justice Thurgood Marshall at age 13, Bourne-Clarke has always strived to be a voice for the voiceless,…
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