Richard A. Robinson Speaks at Quinnipiac University

Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson
speaks at Quinnipiac University’s Black History Month dinner on Feb. 25

HAMDEN, CT – Richard A. Robinson, chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court and top administrator of the state judicial branch, delivered remarks at the dinner event, “Black History Month 2020: Legacies of Black Excellence,” on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Burt Kahn Court in the Athletics and Recreation Center, Quinnipiac University.

Robinson was born in Stamford and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Connecticut and a juris doctor degree from West Virginia University School of Law. He is the first Black American to hold the state’s top judicial post and was the fourth Black American to hold a seat on the state Supreme Court.

For Quinnipiac President Judy Olian, Robinson represented a role model for all, a person whose courage and commitment to inclusive excellence shines in his judicial leadership.

“It isn’t enough to go by the numbers to merely have a presence of people different from oneself to be a stronger community, though that’s an important first step,” Olian explained. “It’s when we respect and learn from and empathize with and are humbled by and join hands with others who might be different. That’s when we truly become inclusive.”

The dinner will feature displays highlighting the historic and outstanding achievements of Black Americans nationally and locally, as well as showcase the rich culture and history with traditional and present-day food traditions and music.

“Next year, I want you to bring a friend. If you’re white, I want you to bring a black friend. If you’re black, I want you to bring a white friend,” Robinson said in closing. “I want you to make this bigger and more diverse than it even is today because through those interactions, we begin to understand each other more.”