A Message from the President

I wish to thank the Board of Directors of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts for electing me as the new Moderator at the 20th Annual Meeting in Seattle in May of this year. I am honored by your confidence and look forward to the opportunity to further the mission and work of the National Consortium.

It is important to acknowledge the dedication, work, and leadership of our immediate past Moderator, Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court. She has been a source of inspiration to the board and to the courts. In her tenure as the Moderator, she helped to increase the visibility and the quality of the programs of the National Consortium. Also it is under her leadership that the National Consortium has initiated a strategic planning process to ensure that our work is aligned with the needs of the courts. Please join me in thanking Justice Kelly. 

It has been 20 years since our first meeting. The National Consortium has grown significantly from representatives from 4 states to over 35, plus the District of Columbia. It has also changed from an intimate meeting to a national conference. But the focus has not changed. We need to ensure that everyone regardless of race, color, or ethnicity is treated fairly and with dignity. 

This year, the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission hosted the 20th Annual Meeting of the National Consortium in Seattle which concluded on May 2, 2008. It is only fitting that it was hosted by one of the original founding members of the National Consortium, Justice Charles Z. Smith (retired) of the Washington Supreme Court. Thank you to Justice Smith and the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, as well as to those who were able to attend an outstanding conference and to join us to celebrate our anniversary. The conference, as usual, was filled with amazing education sessions and exceptional guest speakers. I hope the programs offered some wonderful ideas for education programs in your respective states and reinvigorated you to continue the important work of ensuring access and equal justice for all. 

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for our 21st Annual Meeting. 

What: 21st Annual Meeting 
When: May 6 – 9, 2009
Location: Pennsylvania 

Clarance J. Jones
Judge
Connecticut Superior Court

Updated 08/15/2008