Pastor pushing for more diversity on Court of Chancery

By Craig Anderson
Posted 4/15/21

DOVER — Joined by nine supporters and holding over 2,000 signatures asking to add racial diversity to the Court of Chancery on Thursday, Senior Pastor Blaine Hackett hoped to draw attention to …

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Pastor pushing for more diversity on Court of Chancery

Posted

DOVER — Joined by nine supporters and holding over 2,000 signatures asking to add racial diversity to the Court of Chancery on Thursday, Senior Pastor Blaine Hackett hoped to draw attention to the push for more inclusion on the court.

The senior pastor of the St. John’s African Methodist Church in Newark planned to present the signatures to Delaware state senators, who must confirm Gov. John Carney’s Chancery Court nominations.

Gov. Carney recently nominated Vice Chancellor Kathleen McCormick to replace Chancellor Andre Bouchard, who is retiring.

Also, Lori W. Will is set to be nominated as vice chancellor to replace Ms. McCormick. Both nominees are White.

Speaking near the front entrance of Legislative Hall in Dover, Senior Pastor Hackett said he believed Delaware’s next Court of Chancery chancellor should be Black.

For Pastor Hackett, the governor had an opportunity for the second time in roughly two years to add racial diversity to the Court of Chancery with his nominations.

“I stand here today with over 2,000 signatures from Delaware residents and with my brothers and sisters that are holding the signs just urging the Senate as they go to vote for Governor Carney’s choice that they will fit that seat with a Black American or African American (and) that he can go ahead and make right some wrongs in our judicial system.

“Far too long our judicial system lacked the diversity that it claims to want to represent. So we feel that it is time now that we start to see those that are making decisions for our people to reflect that.”

According to Gov. Carney’s spokesman Jon Starkey, “Unfortunately, no Black lawyers applied for the Chancellor nomination, or the derivative Vice Chancellor vacancy.”

Following the remarks, Senior Pastor Hackett, who described the moment as a “stand for diversity” then led a group of sign-holding supporters who chanted “No Justice. No Peace” during an approximately five-minute walk around Delaware’s state capitol.

Some signs, among others, read:

• “Our courts should look like DE!”

• “Now is the time for diversity”

• “More diversity = fair courts”

• “Nominate a person of color!”

Dover resident Christopher Tabbs said he was driven to attend the rally because the lack of diversity sitting on the judge’s benches and high number of Black persons who are incarcerated.

“It doesn’t make it as fair as it could be and that’s what we’re here for - fairness,” he said.

Ms. McCormick would become Delaware’s first female chancellor if approved by the Senate, Mr. Starkey noted.

The governor expressed confidence in the “experience and judgment that Ms. McCormick and Ms. Will would bring to their positions if confirmed by the state Senate.

“Governor Carney is and has been committed to helping making sure that Delaware’s government looks more like the population it serves,” Mr. Starkey said.

Mr. Starkey pointed to the governor’s appointment of the first Black woman - Tamika R. Montgomery-Reeves - to the Delaware Supreme Court, along with assembling “the most diverse Cabinet in Delaware history.

Also, last week, Gov. Carney nominated Reneta Green-Streett for a Superior Court judge seat in Kent County. Mr. Starkey said she would be the first Black woman to serve in that position if confirmed.

“There is a lot of work left to do, and we’ll need the help of Delaware’s legal community to ensure we have more minority candidates for these positions,” Mr. Starkey said. “ The governor remains committed to that work.”

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