Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown (center) and Judge Jay Zainey accepted the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 2024 Guardian of Diversity Award on behalf of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana at the LSBA’s annual meeting on June 6, 2024. Presented by the LSBA’s immediate past president, Shayna Sonnier (right), the award recognizes the Court’s work to promote diversity through thought-provoking programs and CLEs about diversity, naturalization ceremonies that highlight the diversity of new citizens, and efforts to improve diversity in its workforce and jury pool. The Court is grateful for and honored by the recognition.

                The Louisiana State Bar Association awarded the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana the 2023-24 Guardian of Diversity Award in recognition of its outstanding work to promote diversity. The Court presents thought-provoking programs and CLEs about diversity. It conducts naturalization ceremonies that highlight the diversity of new citizens. And the Court has worked to improve diversity in its workforce and jury pool. Led by the Court’s first African American Chief Judge, Nannette Jolivette Brown, the Court is honored to be recognized as a Guardian of Diversity.                 “A federal court is tasked with protecting and defending citizens’ rights under the Constitution,” explained Chief Judge Brown. “Considering that the underlying principle of the Constitution that holds this country together was to create a nation of people from all walks of life and experiences who share in the common values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, our Court takes seriously its responsibility to set an example and lead in the important goals of diversity and inclusion.”                 Highlights of the Court’s work include annual African American and Women’s History Month celebrations. These are large, substantive events often exceeding 300 participants. Recent programs highlighted the women leaders of local law enforcement agencies, Supreme Court Chief Justice Emeritus Bernette Joshua Johnson discussing the Civil Rights Movement, and the lost community of Fazendeville and other threatened communities of color. The Court has also hosted events highlighting Native American, Hispanic, and Asian cultures.                  The Court holds other programs that make a significant impact on diversity issues in the legal profession. Perhaps most impressive was a two-hour reenactment of the legal events leading to the integration of the University of Mississippi. Several judges and James Meredith himself participated in the program produced with the Federal Bar Association. The Court also holds naturalization ceremonies with guest speakers who emphasize our nation’s strength in diversity.                 The Court has also expanded recruitment efforts to diversify its workforce. The Court is participating in a Judiciary program that provides internship opportunities for underserved students with an appreciation for DEI, preparing them for Judiciary careers. Likewise, the Clerk’s Office DE&I Committee promotes a culture of inclusion by producing events commemorating different cultures, including a Hispanic heritage program and a presentation on LGBTQ history remembering the victims of the tragic Upstairs Lounge fire. The committee also holds monthly lunches that spotlight Court employees’ diversity.                  The Court is grateful to a number of organizations that have partnered with it in presenting diversity programs, including the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Greater New Orleans Louis Martinet Legal Society, the Association for Women Attorneys, the Federal Public Defenders Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. 

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presented a Women’s History Month Celebration entitled, "Women Empowering the Community Through Education: The Work of St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament & a Panel Discussion on The Changing Faces of Education." During the program, attendees learned about St. Katharine Drexel’s educational legacy in Louisiana through an engaging presentation by Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir, Professor of History at Xavier University. After Dr. Sinegal-DeCuir’s presentation, Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown moderated a panel of accomplished leaders in higher education as they discussed their career pathways and the challenges and opportunities for women in their field. In addition to Dr. Sinegal-DeCuir, the panel consisted of Dr. Kathy Johnson, President of the University of New Orleans; Madeleine M. Landrieu, Dean of the College of Law at Loyola University of New Orleans; Tracie N. Ransom, Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Tulane Law School; and Dr. Ceeon D. Quiett Smith, the Executive Vice President of Student Success and Operations for Dillard University. Over 300 individuals enjoyed the free CLE program in-person and online. From left to right: Lilian V. Pascone, Dr. Johnson, Dean Landrieu, Chief Judge Brown, Dr. Sinegal-DeCuir, Dean Ransom, and Dr. Smith.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presents a Women's History Month Celebration entitled, "Women Empowering the Community Through Education: The Work of St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament & a Panel Discussion on The Changing Faces of Education," on Wednesday, March 20, 11:30am-1:30pm, in Courtroom 501 and via Zoom. There is no charge for this 2-hour CLE with lunch provided to in-person attendees, but advance registration is required at https://forms.office.com/g/5i3cYWzsP9.