PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_december 2018 | Page 10

CDI C o r n e r
A TRIBUTE TO JUDGE EDWARD RODGERS
(tribute continued from Cover Story)
Jean Marie
Middleton
Grasford
Smith
Denise
Mutamba
the First African-American Circuit
Court and then Chief Judge. For
his tenure on the bench, the United
States Supreme Court awarded
Judge Rodgers the prestigious
Jefferson Award, recognizing his
significant contributions towards
the creation of the first drug court
in Florida.
Judge Rodgers is also known for
championing diversity efforts in
Palm Beach County. Were it not for
his efforts decades ago to challenge
the lack of diversity that pervaded
the County, many African Americans
who came after him may not have
received the opportunities to work
and thrive in Palm Beach County’s
government or private sector. The
Palm Beach County Bar Committee
for Diversity and Inclusion (“CDI”)
was also the direct beneficiary of
Judge Rodgers’ time and wisdom.
CDI also received a significant
monetary donation from Judge
Rodgers in recent years. He said his
monetary donation was a challenge
to others in the legal community to
match his efforts to create a more
diverse legal profession.
In recognition of his significant
contributions to CDI, in 2014,
the Palm Beach County Board
of Directors voted to confer an
annual diversity award in honor
of Judge Edward Rodgers to the
firm or individual demonstrating a
consistent pattern of commitment
to the recruitment, retention and
promotion of diverse individuals.
This important recognition ensures
that the legacy of Judge Rodgers in
the area of diversity will survive in
the Bar for generations to come.
Judge
Rodgers’
philanthropy,
leadership, and public service
did not wane in his later years.
Along with other leaders of the
Delta Delta Lambda chapter of
his beloved fraternity Alpha Phi
Alpha (including PBCBA Board
Member Grasford Smith), Judge
Rodgers successfully advocated
to the Riviera Beach City Council
for the fraternity’s use of the old
Riviera Beach Maritime Academy
site to create training opportunities
and jobs for local residents. For
his efforts, the fraternity renamed
the Riviera Beach site the “Judge
Edward
Rodgers
Center
for
Community Development.”
To say that Judge Rodgers
was a remarkable man is an
understatement. His humility and
selfless service are unparalleled
and an inspiration. We can honor
his memory by contributing to the
betterment of the causes that Judge
Rodgers fought for his entire life –
equality and justice for all.
Save the Date
CDI Luncheon
Friday, April 5
Details To Follow
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN
10
CLE Seminars
Maximizing Fees
through Cutting Edge
Areas of Law
January 25, PBCBA
*******************
Wire Fraud
January 30, PBCBA
*******************
Emerging Trends in ADR
and ODR
February 11, PBCBA