From Coit Street to the Courthouse: The Genesis

JaHarr S. Pridgen is the first woman Chief Judge of Buffalo City Court. After working as a district attorney, she became a city court judge in 2015 — and she, at age 34, was the youngest jurist on the bench. Having broken layer after layer of glass ceilings, she is a role model to many women, particularly young Black women. Judge Pridgen grew up on Coit Street, lived on Carl Street and considers herself a “Ken-Bailey woman” at heart. So, how did she go from Coit Street to the courthouse? Learn about the genesis of her journey in this first segment of a three-part series on Judge Pridgen. As she’s traversed her career, she’s defined “success” from various vantage points. Listen to find out why Judge Pridgen persists in her pursuit to ensure that the shattered glass from the ceilings she’s cracked doesn’t damage the feet of the women who will walk the path she’s pioneered. Show creator: Dr. Daniel Popoola. Sound engineer: Prachetas Jai Patel. Web support: Alexandra Edelblute.