Members of the legal community joined the Massachusetts Bar Association at its Boston office on June 18 for a celebration of the Juneteenth federal holiday that commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States.
The event featured keynote addresses by two key figures in the state legal profession: Hon. Stacey J. Fortes, chief justice of the District Court; and Rahsaan D. Hall, president and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Their remarks followed a welcome by MBA Secretary Shayla Mombeleur, who co-chairs the MBA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which partnered with the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys to sponsor this year's program.
MBA President Damian J. Turco offered final remarks to close out the speaking portion of the program, after which attendees walked to the Embrace Statue on Boston Common, sang the Black Anthem and heard a recitation of Langston Hughes' poem, "I, Too, Sing America."
Click here to view photos by Jeff Thiebauth.
Top photo: Hon. Stacey J. Fortes, chief justice of the District Court.
Second photo from top: Rahsaan D. Hall, president and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
Second photo from bottom: MBA President Damian J. Turco (left) and MBA Secretary Shayla Mombeleur.
Bottom photo: Attendees at the Embrace Statue on Boston Common.