Global Diversity & Awareness Month

Ambassador Franklin Hall Williams was born on October 22, 1917, in Flushing, New York. A graduate of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Fordham University Law School, Mr. Williams was a “bridge figure” and trailblazer, who spent his life advancing the cause for civil rights and equal justice.

In the late 1980s, Mr. Williams, then a renowned civil rights attorney and former Ambassador to Ghana, was asked to undertake an independent and comprehensive study of the New York State court system and its treatment of minorities.

The Williams report, highly critical of the treatment by the New York State court system of people of color and the severe lack of diversity on the bench and in management positions, spurred actions that resulted in many changes to the courts, including the establishment of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission as a permanent entity of the New York Court System. Mr. Williams passed away on May 20, 1990.

On the anniversary of the 104th birthday of Ambassador Williams, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, his legacy, remains committed to eradicating systemic racism in our court system and serves as bridge to equal justice for all.

The Commission wishes to express its sincerest thanks to Chief Judge Janet DiFiore for the issuance of a proclamation in honor of Ambassador Williams and for her continued efforts at addressing the issues of systemic racism and bias in the courts.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROCLAMATION

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