by David Chapman
Staff Writer
For the 6th year in a row, the Ritz Chamber Players will be presenting the “In Remembrance of the Dream” Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award and performance to a person who exemplifies the spirit and work of the civil rights leader.
This year’s award will be presented to a member of the Jacksonville judicial community, as U.S. District Court Judge Henry Lee Adams will receive the honor Jan. 28 at the Florida Times-Union Center.
The event doubles as the first event of the season for Ritz Chamber Players, the country’s first black chamber music ensemble comprised of accomplished musicians, who will perform classical and modern pieces for the evening.
“It’s a great event and an incredible award,” said Terrance Patterson, artistic director for the Ritz Chamber Players.
Patterson, along with about a dozen Ritz Chamber board members, meet and decide upon the recipient each year. While the award has been given to those outside of Jacksonville in the past, Patterson believes there are plenty of worthy local candidates.
“We don’t always have to look elsewhere,” said Patterson. “We have greatness in our community, too.”
There are no set criteria for winning the award, said Patterson, and when board members began making roundtable suggestions, the discussion ended when Adams name came up.
“It was unanimous,” said Patterson. “Everyone just knew we had the right person ... he’s done a lot for this community and his body of work is proof.”
Adams was surprised to hear of being named the recipient (his first response was “Why me?”) but said he’s honored.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Adams. “It’s really an honor to be recognized like this ... when you look back at some of the past winners, I realized I’d be in some pretty prestigious company.”
Howard Dale, an attorney with Dale Bald Showalter Merceir & Green, is a volunteer attorney for the Ritz Chamber Players and was all for Adams’ selection when it was announced.
“While there are many people who exemplify the work and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Judge Adams was an obvious choice and is definitely a role model,” said Dale. “He needs to be recognized so people can better understand the valuable services he performs.”
Adams was a pioneer as the first black Circuit Court Judge and U.S. District Court Judge in Jacksonville, said Patterson, and had a commitment to fairness and impartiality while serving on the bench.
“I consider him to be a real pioneer,” said Earl Johnson Jr., who served as a law clerk to Adams’ from 1996–98 in Tampa. “He’s a jurist who has a real passion for people and the law ... he’s done so much for this community that he could have won this award years ago.”
Johnson is now the managing partner at Johnson Law Group and said that even as a sitting judge, Adams taught him more about being a lawyer than anyone else.
The Jan. 28 event will feature the awards presentation and the Ritz Chambers Players first performance of the season and will honor Adams through its music.
“There’s going to be some good music,” said Adams of the night’s events. “If you’re going to get an award, this is the best type of occasion to receive it.”
Adams said he’ll be bringing numerous members of his family and planned on kicking back and enjoying the show.
“It’s always a great atmosphere,” said Patterson, who expects around 600 people for the event. “You have so many friends and family of the honoree along with everyone who attends for the incredible show.”
In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award has been presented by the Ritz Chamber Players annually since 2004. Winners include:
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