The Queens County Bar Association (QCBA) held its 147th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, May 22, at Terrace on the Park in Flushing. The event marked a significant occasion with the installation of new officers and the presentation of the prestigious Charles W. Froessel Award.
Arthur Terranova, Esq., this year’s recipient of the Charles W. Froessel Award, expressed his gratitude during the ceremony, stating, “I appreciate the significance of this award, having been involved in many of the prior presentations. To be included in this group is indeed an honor of great proportions.” Terranova also shared a heartfelt message with the attendees: “For me, I just hope that if our paths ever crossed, I left you with a good feeling that you never forget. Thank you very much.”
The event also featured the installation of QCBA’s new officers and managers for the 2024-2025 term, with Zenith T. Taylor assuming the role of President. Taylor, who serves as the state’s first-ever civic engagement coordinator—a position created by Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, Hon. Rowan D. Wilson—made history as the first Black woman to be elected president of the oldest bar association in Queens County.
In her address, President Taylor highlighted her unique background and the challenges she faced, saying, “I am celebrating not only a personal milestone, but also a significant historical step forward. I am unapologetically Black, an immigrant with deep Jamaican roots, and I have experienced racism and discrimination throughout my legal career.”
Outgoing president Michael Abneri was presented with a certificate in recognition of his service in the past year.
Chief Judge Wilson spoke on the importance of civic engagement and education, noting, “The situation we find ourselves in, mostly national but here in New York State as well, is the result of the failure of civics education over the last three or four decades. This is why people can’t get along.” He urged attendees to contribute to educating young people on civics to foster better understanding and cooperation.
Taylor also emphasized the progress made by the QCBA in terms of diversity and inclusion, remarking, “While we should not forget the past, we must work on the present and learn from the past. While progress is subjective in terms of the pace, nevertheless, QCBA has made progress in terms of diversity and inclusion. I am living proof of that progress.”
The evening concluded with a call to embrace diversity, with Taylor stating, “When we embrace diversity in all its forms, we enrich our perspectives, enhance our problem-solving abilities and strengthen the legitimacy of our justice system.”
