‘Forget right and left … remember right from wrong’
Opening remarks at Monday’s ceremony included commentary from Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge for the Supreme Court, Criminal Matters.
“I have been to every one of these opening ceremonies for the past 28 years, and I love it for two reasons,” D’Emic said. “First, we pray together, and second, we sing together. That brings joy. It also gives us the opportunity to forget right and left but to remember right from wrong.”
Hon. Genine Edwards, administrative judge for the Supreme Court, Civil Matters, also spoke.
“As we stand here today and honor 100 years of Black History Month celebrations, we stand on the shoulders of individuals whose resilience shaped this nation and whose pursuit of justice continues to guide our work.”
Edwards emphasized that progress is never accidental; it is built on courage, sacrifice and an unshakable belief in what is possible.
“Justice is not an abstract idea,” Edwards continued. “It is something people feel, experience and depend upon, and that makes our roles as judges, lawyers and court employees part of a much larger legacy.”
‘Black history is American history’
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez addressed the crowd in an unscripted trip to the podium.
Gonzalez called the opening ceremony for Black History Month one of his favorite court events. He also pointed out that Brooklyn had historic decreases in violent crime last year.
“It’s fair to report that 2025 was the safest year in Brooklyn’s history,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve had the fewest number of shootings, homicides, and that’s all tremendous progress.”
From left: Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn Bar Association President Christina Golkin and Hon. Genine Edwards. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo
Comments were also made by presidents of various New York City bar associations, including the Brooklyn Bar Association, Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, Metropolitan Black Bar Association and the Kings County Criminal Bar Association.
Deputy Borough President Rev. Kim Council, the keynote speaker of the event, stole the show with a powerful, emotional and inspiring 20-minute speech that touched upon unimaginable trials and tribulations faced by African Americans.
“Today we are commemorating 100 years of celebrating the history of a group of people who were stolen from the shores of Africa and sold as commodities,” Council said.
“The government needs to be held accountable for the policies that, for years, have created this culture in our country that thrives off of one group of people taking advantage of another group.”
Council also spoke to the current leadership in the White House. “Only in America, in our judicial system, could a self-proclaimed billionaire — a white man convicted of 34 felonies and who was on trial for 57 more felonies — be elected to the highest position in our country.”
Council said Black history is American history, and “it is imperative to remind people and constantly retell our stories.”