La. Supreme Court Justice Uplifts Baton Rouge church for Black History Month
Guidry, the fourth Black Supreme Court Justice in the court’s 211 years of history, commanded attention in the room as he merged political commentary and Bible scriptures.
By Torey A. Bovie
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Guidry urged the congregation at Philadelphia Christian Ministries in Baton Rouge during a Black History Month Program to stay encouraged, despite the attacks on diversity programs from the new Trump administration.
Guidry, the fourth Black Supreme Court Justice in the court’s 211 years of history, commanded attention in the room as he merged political commentary and Bible scriptures. He said it’s important to keep high spirits under the new administration’s executive orders and proclamations aimed at dismantling federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“As we face MAGA...As they try to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion…As they try to take our history out of the classroom, James [biblical verse] says to us, ‘just count it all joy’,” Guidry said.
Guidry said the joy instilled in him through his spiritual faith and God can’t be taken away by government officials. The building erupted into applause and cheers from every corner.
From the beginning of the program on Feb. 9, spirits were high as gospel music radiated throughout the church. While members gathered for their usual morning worship, it soon became clear this wasn’t a typical Sunday service.
Guidry, the keynote speaker, was joined by Louisiana Sen. Regina Barrows and retired Juvenile Court Judge Pamela Taylor Johnson.
Barrows took office, representing District 15, in 2016. She was raised in Baton Rouge and is viewed as a pillar of the community. Johnson was one of the longest serving judges in Louisiana before her retirement in 2019. She is well-known for her work on the landmark case, Clark v. Edwards, a 1980s lawsuit that ultimately expanded the number of African American judges in the state
“I saw Pam Taylor Johnson, and she was at the forefront of Clark v. Edwards... and now we have the largest number of African American judges in the entire United States,” Guidry said. “She paved the way for young lawyers like me."
Guidry said it’s important to acknowledge how far Black people have come throughout American history.
Apostle Curtis Shepherd of Philadelphia Christian Ministries led the service, along with his wife, Pastor Paula Shepherd.
“None of y’all are guests. We’re all family here,” Rev. Curtis Shepherd said. “There is just something so unique about our blackness.”
Johnson, Barrow and Guidry were all awarded trophies from the ministry at the end of the Black History Month celebration. The awards were meant to commemorate all three officials' community work.
“I learned who I am today through the church,” Barrow said. “I am honored, humbled and thankful to be the third woman in my position.”
Barrow said there is still much work that needs to be done at the capitol. However, she said, there is a plan.
In this small but mighty church, government officials were able to sit amongst Baton Rouge community members as family, not just senators and judges. The celebration also featured tributes from the youth, musical selections and scripture readings.
Johnson said working against biased systems and barriers is nothing new for the Black community. She said Black people “must return to what we know, survival.”
“All I want to say is we’ve seen this demon before,” Johnson said. “The only difference with these melanated people…we’re not the same ones we were 200 years ago.”
