Judicial Diversity Initiative

10/13/2026

🗳️ ONE WEEK AWAY! YOUR VOICE. YOUR VOTE. YOUR FUTURE.

South Florida, the countdown is on! ⏳

In just 7 DAYS, the Judicial Diversity Initiative (JDI), in collaboration with Mayor Wayne Messam, will host our 2026 General Election Candidate Forum — and we want YOU in the room!

Elections shape our courts, our communities, and our future. But making an informed choice starts with knowing who's asking for your vote.

This is your opportunity to move beyond campaign ads, social media sound bites, and political rhetoric to hear directly from candidates, understand their perspectives, and learn where they stand on issues that matter to you and your community.

📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎤 Program Begins: 6:30 PM
📍 Miramar Cultural Center Theater
2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025

✨ WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Because your presence and participation matter. Your vote is more than a checkmark on a ballot. It's your opportunity to help shape the leadership, policies, and institutions that impact your everyday life.

🔦 JDI PILLAR SPOTLIGHT: INFORM + ILLUMINATE

📚 INFORM: Empowering voters through civic education, greater understanding of our judicial and electoral systems, and access to meaningful information about the candidates and issues on the ballot.

✨ ILLUMINATE: Shining a light on those seeking judicial and public office, creating opportunities for communities to engage with prospective leaders and better understand their qualifications, perspectives, and commitment to public service.

As a nonpartisan organization, JDI does not endorse candidates. We believe voters deserve the opportunity to hear from those seeking to represent and serve them, ask meaningful questions, and make informed decisions for themselves.

🤝 We are grateful to our member organizations, the City of Miramar, Equal Ground, and our community partners for helping make this important civic engagement opportunity possible.

📣 NOW WE NEED YOU TO SHOW UP!

✅ Bring a friend.
✅ Invite your neighbors and family.
✅ Share this flyer.
✅ Come ready to listen, learn, and engage.

YOUR CHOICE MATTERS. YOUR VOICE COUNTS. MAKE BOTH HEARD! 🗳️

EDUCATE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

10/06/2026

🗳️ WE’RE OFFICIALLY TWO WEEKS OUT!

The countdown is on for the 2026 General Election Candidate Forum, presented by the Judicial Diversity Initiative (JDI) in collaboration with Mayor Wayne Messam and supported by an incredible coalition of member organizations and community partners.

📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎤 Program Begins: 6:30 PM
📍 Miramar Cultural Center Theater
2400 Civic Center Place | Miramar, FL 33025

With the General Election approaching, this is an opportunity to go beyond campaign signs, sound bites, and social media posts and hear directly from candidates seeking to serve our communities.

Come meet the candidates, hear their perspectives, learn about the issues, and get informed before you vote.

As a nonpartisan organization, JDI does not endorse candidates. Our role is to create opportunities for meaningful civic engagement and provide voters with information that empowers them to make their own informed decisions at the ballot box.

🔦 JDI PILLAR SPOTLIGHTS: INFORM + ILLUMINATE

📚 INFORM — Educating our communities about the judicial system, elections, candidates, and the importance of an informed electorate.

✨ ILLUMINATE — Creating greater visibility around the individuals seeking to serve our communities and the pathways through which our judicial and civic institutions are shaped.

Through these pillars, JDI continues its commitment to helping build a more informed, engaged, and empowered electorate.

EDUCATE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.
Stronger communities. A more inclusive tomorrow.

We are grateful to our JDI member organizations and community partners, including the City of Miramar, Equal Ground, and the members of the Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for helping us bring this important conversation to the community.

📣 Spread the word! Share this post. Send it to your group chats. Invite your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community organizations.

Two weeks to go, South Florida. We’ll see you in Miramar on October 20!

09/29/2026

⚖️ JUDICIAL OPPORTUNITY ALERT | BROWARD COUNTY ⚖️

The Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill two judicial vacancies in Broward County:

🏛️ One Circuit Court vacancy — created by the elevation of Circuit Judge Marlon J. Weiss to the Fourth District Court of Appeal; and
🏛️ One County Court vacancy — created by the elevation of County Judge Jeremy I. Franker to the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

📅 APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, October 9, 2026 at 12:00 P.M.

Applicants must meet the constitutional qualifications for the respective judicial office and must indicate whether they wish to be considered for the Circuit Court vacancy, County Court vacancy, or both.

Applications require both an original unredacted PDF and a separate redacted PDF, submitted by email to JNC Chair Camille Coolidge Shotwell at [email protected]. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit well before the deadline; interview scheduling will occur in the order applications are received.

✨ JDI PILLAR SPOTLIGHT: ILLUMINATE ✨️
Through Illuminate, JDI works to increase awareness of pathways to judicial service and ensure that qualified attorneys throughout our legal community know when opportunities to serve become available.

If the bench is part of your professional journey—or you know a qualified attorney who should consider judicial service—share this opportunity and encourage them to apply.

🔗 Application: https://www.flgov.com/eog/info/judicial/applications
📌 Anticipated Interviews: October 20, 2026, subject to change.

See the opportunity. Consider service. Help strengthen our judiciary.

09/28/2026

🚨 ⚖️ JUDICIAL OPPORTUNITY ALERT | DEADLINE EXTENDED

The 19th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has extended the application deadline for the St. Lucie County Court Judge vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Jeffrey Walton Henriks to the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Qualified attorneys now have until:
📅 Monday, October 5, 2026
⏰ 5:00 P.M. Eastern
to submit their completed applications. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Eligibility: Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar for at least five years when applying, be electors of the State of Florida, and reside in St. Lucie County before taking office.

📄 Important: The judicial application form has changed, so applicants must use the current application form. The JNC requires both complete unredacted and redacted application materials, along with the additional materials specified in the official notice. The Commission strongly encourages applicants to submit well before the deadline.

🗓️ Tentative Interviews: October 15 or 16, 2026, in person at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce.

✨ JDI PILLAR SPOTLIGHT: ILLUMINATE ✨️
Through Illuminate, JDI works to bring greater visibility to pathways to judicial service and ensure that qualified attorneys throughout our communities know when opportunities to serve become available.

If you have considered judicial service—or know a qualified attorney who should—share this opportunity. The extended deadline is an open door, but not for long.

🤝 Considering applying? JDI welcomes prospective applicants to reach out for support and connection to available resources as they navigate the application process.

🔗 Review the complete requirements and submission instructions in the official 19th Circuit JNC announcement⁠.

See the opportunity. Consider service. Help strengthen our judiciary.

09/22/2026

07/23/2026

🚨 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM 🚨

Your ballot. Your voice. Your future.

The Judicial Diversity Initiative (JDI), in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Gamma Delta Omega Chapter, invites you to join us for a FREE, nonpartisan Candidate Forum featuring candidates for judicial office, State Senate, and State Representative in key Miami-Dade County races.

🗓 Tuesday, July 28, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens
21311 NW 34th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33056

We are especially grateful to Pastor Arthur Jackson III and the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens family for generously hosting this important community event and helping create a space for civic engagement and informed dialogue.

This forum is designed to help voters make informed decisions by providing an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their qualifications, experience, and vision for public service.

📚 JDI Pillar: INFORM

An informed electorate strengthens public confidence in our courts and our democracy. Through our Inform pillar, JDI is committed to providing accessible, nonpartisan educational opportunities that empower voters with the information they need before casting their ballots.

✅ FREE & Open to the Public
✅ All candidates were invited to participate
✅ Hear directly from the those seeking to serve your community
✅ Learn before you vote

JDI does not endorse any candidates, campaigns, or political parties.

Thank you to our collaborating partner, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Gamma Delta Omega Chapter, and to our JDI Member Organizations for their continued commitment to strengthening our judiciary and our community:

• Caribbean Bar Association
• Charles B. Morton Chapter of the National Black Prosecutors Association
• F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association
• Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association
• Haitian Lawyers Association
• T.J. Reddick Bar Association
• Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association

📲 Help us INFORM our community!

Share this post, invite your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and join us for an evening of civic engagement

07/21/2026

🔦 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT 🔦

There are multiple opportunities this week to hear directly from candidates, learn about issues affecting our communities, and become a more informed voter before Election Day.

Whether you're interested in judicial races, congressional elections, or understanding how this year's legislative session impacts your community, these forums offer valuable opportunities to engage with the democratic process.

📅 This Week's Events:
• July 21 – Broward Judicial Candidates Forum
• July 22 – Congressional District 24 Debate
• July 23 – Florida Legislative Session Debrief
• July 23 – Congressional District 20 Candidates Forum

✨ JDI Pillar Spotlight: INFORM ✨️

One of JDI's guiding pillars is Inform—educating the public about the judicial system, judicial elections and appointments, and the importance of civic engagement. An informed electorate is essential to maintaining public confidence in our courts and ensuring meaningful participation in our democracy.

As part of that mission, we're pleased to highlight community events that encourage voter education and public engagement.
Please note: JDI does not endorse candidates, political parties, or campaigns. We simply encourage voters to learn about the candidates and issues before casting their ballots.

🗳️ Get informed. Get engaged. Vote prepared.

JudicialElections JudicialCandidates KnowYourBallot CivicEngagement Election2026 FloridaVoters BrowardCounty MiamiDadeCounty

07/17/2026

🚨 JUDICIAL OPPORTUNITY ALERT | APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN ⚖️

The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) is now accepting applications to fill three (3) Circuit Court Judge vacancies in the 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach County), created by the retirements of Judge Cheryl Caracuzzo, Judge Jeffrey Dana Gillen, and Judge Gregory Keyser.

⏰ The timeline is moving quickly. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their applications immediately to ensure they meet all submission requirements before the deadline.

Key Info:

⚖️ Position: Circuit Court Judge

📍 Location: 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach County)

👥 Vacancies: Three (3)

📅 Application Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

🗣️ Anticipated Interviews: Thursday, August 27, 2026

📋 Nominees Submitted to the Governor: Sunday, August 30, 2026

Applicants must satisfy the constitutional qualifications for Circuit Court Judges under Article V, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution and submit both an original and a properly redacted application in accordance with the JNC's instructions.

✨ JDI Pillar Spotlight: ILLUMINATE ✨️

This announcement reflects JDI's Illuminate pillar by highlighting opportunities for judicial service and encouraging qualified attorneys to pursue leadership on the bench. By increasing awareness of judicial vacancies and supporting applicants throughout the process, we strive to broaden access to these opportunities and strengthen a judiciary that reflects the excellence and diversity of Florida's legal community.

🤝 Interested in applying?

JDI is committed to helping qualified applicants navigate the judicial application process. If you're considering applying, don't wait—our team is happy to provide guidance on:

• Reviewing application materials

• Strengthening your judicial application

• Interview preparation

• Connecting you with mentorship and available resources

📩 Email us at: [email protected]

⏳ With less than a month before applications are due, now is the time to get started.

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07/16/2026

⚖️ JUDICIAL OPPORTUNITY ALERT ⚖️

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida is now accepting applications for a full-time United States Magistrate Judge position in Fort Lauderdale.

This is an outstanding opportunity for qualified attorneys who are called to public service and aspire to serve on the federal bench.

Key Details:
📍 Duty Station: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
⚖️ Position: Full-Time U.S. Magistrate Judge
📅 Term of Appointment: 8 years (subject to potential reappointment in accordance with federal law)
💼 Annual Salary: $229,908
🗓️ Application Deadline: Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT

For eligibility requirements, application materials, and submission instructions, please visit the official announcement from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/node/6402).

✨ JDI Pillar Spotlight: ILLUMINATE ✨️

One of JDI's guiding pillars this year is Illuminate—highlighting pathways to judicial service and encouraging qualified attorneys to pursue opportunities on the bench. We believe excellence exists throughout our legal community, and part of our mission is ensuring these opportunities are visible, accessible, and attainable for qualified applicants.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Considering applying?

JDI is committed to supporting qualified applicants throughout the judicial application process. If you're interested in applying and would like guidance with your application materials, interview preparation, or mentorship resources, we encourage you to connect with us.

📩 Reach out to JDI at [email protected]. We're here to help.

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07/14/2026

🏆 Honored. Grateful. Inspired. 🏆

The Judicial Diversity Initiative is deeply honored to have received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association during its Annual Conference in Orlando on July 13, 2026.

Presented to individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding service in the pioneering spirit of Justice Thurgood Marshall and a commitment to advancing human and civil rights, this recognition is both humbling and affirming.

Special thanks to one of our JDI Liaisons, Brandon Sapp, who graciously accepted this award on behalf of JDI, joined by several representatives from our member organizations. Their presence was a reminder that JDI's impact has always been a collaborative effort, made possible by the dedication of many leaders and partners working toward a common vision.

This award is a testament to the work JDI has accomplished over the years and to the strong foundation laid by our past leadership. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed their time, talent, and passion to advancing our mission. As we celebrate this milestone, we also recommit ourselves to the work that still lies ahead.

✨ JDI Pillar Spotlight: ILLUMINATE ✨️

One of JDI's guiding pillars this year is Illuminate—recognizing the leaders, organizations, and initiatives that advance our mission while shining a light on pathways to judicial service. This recognition belongs not to one individual, but to the many who have helped move JDI's mission forward and continue inspiring future generations of judicial leaders.

Thank you to the National Black Prosecutors Association for this tremendous honor, and congratulations to everyone who has been part of JDI's journey. Together, we will continue building upon this legacy.

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