The Supreme Court has renamed its Committee on Minority Concerns. It now will be called the Supreme Court Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, effective immediately. The name change reflects the expansion of the Committee's focus beyond issues relating to racial and ethnic groups. That focus now includes issues relating to religious, social, cultural, and economic non-majority groups, as well as issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Court has provided the Committee with an updated charge to guide its work. The Committee will continue to assess the availability of court services and resources for all, especially self-represented litigants; work with the practice divisions and Non Judiciary partners to help improve court protocols; and facilitate community outreach in such areas as court access, job recruitment, and criminal justice and municipal court reform.
The Committee will also continue to work closely with the fifteen vicinage advisory committees. These vicinage committees will be similarly renamed and their responsibilities at the local level will continue to mirror the work of the Supreme Court Committee.
Historically, the Committee has been actively involved with the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. In April 2020, the Committee will host the Consortium's next annual conference; the conference theme is "From Promise to Practice: The Role of Courts in Ensuring Equal Protection and Due Process in the 21st Century." The Committee will continue to issue reports to the Supreme Court every two years, with the next report to be issued in 2021.
Questions regarding the Supreme Court Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement should be directed to Yolande Marlow or Lisa Burke at 609- 815-2900 ext. 52364 or 52365.
Document Date: Aug. 13, 2019
Publish Date: Aug. 14, 2019