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Quinnipiac hosted its Black History Month dinner on Tuesday, Feb 25. Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson was the guest of honor for the night.

Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Don Sawer moderated the conversation with Robinson and hoped that students were able to see themselves in his story. 

“One of the things I said when I was talking to him after hearing his story [about his life], where the idea of your current situation doesn’t necessarily dictate where you’re going to end up,” Sawyer said.

The night consisted of a dinner and conversation about what it’s like being Chief Justice and what Robinson faced growing up. In fact, Robinson witnessed monumental events in black history from the death of Emmit Till to watching President Barack Obama become elected in 2008. The two also talked about the kinds of things Robinson faces on a day to day basis in his role.  

The theme of the dinner was black legacy, as Robinson is the first African-American Chief Justice of Connecticut. He acknowledged that because of his hard work and his involvement with different committees, that is why he is in the position he is in today. 

Robinson encouraged students to get involved and stay active in their communities for the same reasons he did. 

“Stay active, if you’re not active get active in your community,” Robinson said. “The reason why I was noticed was that I was out there [in the community] volunteering for different committees, and served on boards and things like that.”

After the event, Robinson stayed back and spoke to the students and other guests that were there.