Brooklynites making a buzz
POWER WALK: Judge Sylvia Ash modeled a fl oor-length dress donated by African designers at the jurists’ Black History Month fashion show. Judge Connie Melendez struck a pose in a
purple-and-turquoise number. Photos by Stefano Giovannini
It’s a catwalk in the court!
Kings County judges conclude Black History Month events with fashion show
BY NATALLIE ROCHA
They brought high fashion
to the high court!
Local jurists celebrated
the end of Black
History Month in style
by swapping their classic
black robes for colorful,
African-inspired garb at
the 21st-annual Black History
Month Fashion Show
at the Kings County Supreme
Court.
“This event is a continuation
of the recognition
of African Americans and
the contributions we’ve
made,” said Judge Sylvia
Ash, who sported a fl oorlength
turquoise dress
with an eye-catching pattern
on the catwalk. “It
celebrates our heritage
and the colorful colors
that go all the way back to
our ancestors.”
Ash walked in the Feb.
28 style showcase alongside
colleagues including
Judge Genine Edwards,
who wore a green, red,
and black number and
an intricate beaded necklace,
and Judge Connie
Melendez, who modeled a
dashing purple-and-green
dress, as attendees including
District Attorney Eric
Gonzalez and Brooklyn
Democratic Party boss
Frank Seddio cheered
them on.
African designers donated
the fashionable garments
shown on the runway,
according to Ash,
who said all of the clothes
represented the rich culture
of the continent their
makers hail from.
The event concluded
the jurists’ month-long
celebration of African-
American history staged
by members of the Kings
County Courts Black History
Month Committee,
and drew a record crowd
of celebrants who came
out to recognize those efforts,
Ash said.
“The fashion show is
the culmination of everything
we do for the month,”
Ash said. “It gets larger
and larger every year.”
COURIER L 22 IFE, MARCH 15–21, 2019 M BR B G
WORK IT: Judge Genine Edwards donned a red, black, and green outfi t and a statement
beaded necklace on the runway.
HONORABLE MENTION: (Left) The Kings County Courts’ Black History Committee honored Lorraine Curry, Patricia Willis and Saundra Brown, from left with plaques, for their contributions
to the month of celebrations. (Right) Attendees including District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, center left, and Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio, center right, cheered the
models on.