2023 Annual Symposium

Dawn Butler, President, NYSMICJ

Elected Officials 

Victoria Dent, Regional Representative, NYS Office of Employee Relations: Worklife Services (EAP)

LaSonya Spearman, Parole Revocation Specialist, NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and Non-Profit Seed of A Woman (SOW)

Kareema T. Morris, USA Today New York State Woman of the Year; Outreach & Advocacy Facilitator, Buffalon Against Domestic Violence Coalition; and Founder and Executive Director of Bury the Violence Foundation Inc. (BTV)

Chief Judge JaHarr S. Pridgen, Buffalo City Court, first female to serve as the Chief Justice of Buffalo City Court Supervising eleven City Courts

Hon. Betty Calvo Torres, Buffalo City Court, first Hispanic female to serve on the Buffalo City Court, presiding Domestic Violence Court Judge, acting Erie County Court Judge and an alternate judge for Buffalo’s Drug Treatment Court 

"Race, Rights, Guns and Gun Violence, a Historical Perspective on a Uniquely American Dilemma"

Dr. Clem Harris, Director of Africana Studies and Associate Professor, History and Public Affairs Associate Professor of History, Utica University

Dr. Katherine Webb was a founding member of New York State Minorities in Corrections which was renamed New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice in 1994.

Ronald McDonagh was a former NYSMICJ Statewide and Region 3 Board Member whose commitment to the organization could be felt at every event. Ron went above and beyond to make sure events, especially the annual symposium went smoothly.

ShaKrya M. Aughtry rescued developmentally disabled Joseph White when he became stuck outside during the 2022 Buffalo blizzard. She provided care, shelter and comfort to Joseph in her home until other good samaritans were able to reach her home by truck and transport Mr. White to the hospital.

Lt. Aaron Salter, Jr. lost his life protecting innocent shoppers when a gunman, fueled by hate and racism, approached a Tops grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood. After initially interacting with the gunman, he ran to warn shoppers to flee to the back of the store. He then stayed in the front of the store facing evil in a final heroic act.

Chief Judge JaHarr S. Pridgen, appointed in 2023, is the first female Chief Judge of the Buffalo City Courts. Honorable Pridgen has fought for fairness and equality throughout her entire career while breaking the glass ceiling. When first appointed in 2015, she became the youngest judge in Buffalo City Courts. 

Hon. Betty Calvo Torres, appointed in 2022, is the first Hispanic female to serve as a Judge on the Buffalo City Court and is currently the only Latina on the bench in the State of New York west of Albany. Honorable Calvo-Torres presides over Domestic Violence Court, is an acting Erie County Court Judge and an alternate judge for Buffalo’s Drug Treatment Court

Anthony Wiley, former NYSMICJ President and a member of the organization for over 20 years. Mr. Wiley served as statewide president on two occasions and was Vice President of Region 1 at the time of his passing.

Presented by NYSMICJ President Dawn Butler

Additional information coming soon

"Macro and Micro Aggressions"

Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, PhD, founding director of Excelsior University Center for Social Justice and Chief Diversity Officer

Pamela Jimenez, EdD, Program Director for Excelsior University Center for Social Justice

"Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience, A Veterans Journey"

Jasmaine Clay, Veteran and Acting Region 4 Vice President, NYS Minorities in Criminal Justice

Moderated by Loyce Duke, Executive Director, NYSMICJ