The Metropolitan Black Bar Association hosted its 39th Anniversary Awards Gala, “Expanding Our Reach: Prominence. Presence. Professionalism” May 19 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers. The black-tie event was hosted by WNBC anchor David Ushery and featured a cocktail reception, seated dinner, awards presentation, dancing and music by DJ Niara Sterling with live performance by Thurston O’Neal; the 2023 Gala Chair is Nate Saint Victor.
As part of the event, the 2023 stellar legal honorees were celebrated, including Trailblazer of the Year Deborah N. Archer, Public Servant of the Year Camille Chin-Kee-Fatt, Jurist of the Year Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy, Corporate Counsel of the Year Conway Ekpo, and Private Practitioner of the Year Nexus U. Sea.
Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the event.