News Details

Circuit Court Judge Named Aurora's Outstanding African-American

Judge Keith Brown, former chief judge and current 16th District Judicial Circuit Court judge, has been named Aurora’s Outstanding African-American for 2012.

Judge Brown will be recognized at the eighth annual African-American Heritage Advisory Board (AAHAB) Celebration at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 1 at Gaslight Manor, 2485 Church Road.

AAHAB annually presents an award to an African-American leader that has a lasting impact in Aurora and who has made significant achievements in his or her field and the community.

Judge Brown distinguished himself amongst his peers by becoming the first African-American appointed as an associate judge, the first elected as a circuit judge and the first selected as chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit. He also has supported the City of Aurora’s youth programs and Quad County Urban League education initiatives.

“Judge Brown does such an admirable job on the judicial bench because he has always remained firmly rooted and active in our community,” said Mayor Tom Weisner. “Judge Brown has always stayed grounded and that makes him both an exceptional judge and an exceptional human being.”

Judge Brown also has maintained the City helped him secure his election to the judge’s bench. Aurora Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin called Judge Brown a pioneer in the legal field.

“Judge Brown’s remarkable success makes me proud to be a practicing lawyer in the 16th Judicial Circuit and, more so, makes me proud to call him a friend,” Alderman Irvin said.

Previous Outstanding African-American winners are 7th Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, Fred Rodgers, Cynthia Latimer, Donnell Collins, Archie Needham, Lillian Perry and Henry Cowherd.

The breakfast also will honor four community leaders with Nia Award (Nia means “purpose” in Swahili) and will feature a performance by a local jazz band and scholarship presentations to local African-American high school seniors.

Tickets are $20 per person with a portion going to the Henry Cowherd Scholarship Fund. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ken Maurice, the City of Aurora’s Youth Services Development Coordinator, at 630-256-3402 or e-mailing AAHAB President Toussaint Smith at tou828@gmail.com. Checks can be made payable to the City of Aurora – AAHAB and mailed to the City of Aurora’s Community Service Office, 501 College Ave., Suite 304, Aurora, IL 60505.

The African-American Heritage Advisory Board for the City of Aurora was started in 2003 and is a non-partisan, community-based advisory committee. The board’s mission is to provide community education and strengthen connections within the City of Aurora.

Location: Gaslight Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora, Illinois