Our Leadership
PRESIDENT
Judge Curtis J. Bell
Since our organizations inception in 1979, we have been fortunate to continue to gain strength. The Association of Black Judges of Michigan serves not only our membership but the greater issues of social justice that face this great state. We are fortunate that we have had dynamic leaders and a membership that continues to strive to achieve excellence and performance of our duties and service to our community.
I am humbled to have been selected as the 2023-2024 President of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. I wish to thank the immediate past President, Judge Kameshia Gant and her predecessor, Judge Qiana Lillard for helping me through the various assignments as President elect of the association. I feel their tutelage as well as the input of our general membership has prepared me well for the upcoming responsibilities and tasks that I will be called upon to perform.
Having served on the bench since February of 2005 in Kalamazoo County, I have had experiences with domestic relations, probate, and now a civil docket. These experiences along with other roles will serve to guide this upcoming term to effectively serve our membership and our community. The one thing that I know for certain is that the strength of our organization is based upon its members commitment to justice and our communities respect for the services that we perform.
Sincerely,
Hon. Curtis J. Bell
The Association of Black Judges of Michigan Officers
Our leadership is a reflection of the power of blended value empowering the African American community.
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ABJM President
Hon. Curtis J. Bell
Judge Curtis J. Bell has served the Probate and 4th Circuit Courts in Kalamazoo County since 2005. He is a graduate of both Michigan State University and the University of Iowa College of Law.
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ABJM President Elect
Judge Lisa Martin
Judge Lisa Martin has served the 34th District Court since 2021. She is a graduate of both Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School.
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ABJM Secretary
Judge Cynthia Ward
Judge Cynthia M. Ward has served the 54-A District Court since 2019. She is a graduate of both Rutgers University and Villanova University School of Law.
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ABJM Tresurer
Judge Marlena Taylor
Judge Marlena E. Taylor has served the 36th District Court since 2021. She is a graduate of both Central Michigan University and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Executive Board Member
Judge Christopher Blount
Judge Christopher M. Blount has served the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County since 2022. He previously served the 36th District Court since 2017. He is a graduate of both Wayne State University and Wayne State University Law School.
Executive Board Member
Judge Lynise Bryant
Judge E. Lynise Bryant has served the 36th District Court since 2007. She is a graduate of both Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University Law School.
Executive Board Member
Judge Kristen D. Simmons
The Honorable Judge Kristen D. Simmons has served the 54-a District Court of Lansing, MI, since September 2019. Judge Simmons earned her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University-Thomas M. Cooley Law School and her Bachelor of Arts from Hampton University.
Immediate Past President
Judge Kameshia D. Gant
Judge Kameshia Gant has served the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County since 2019. She is a graduate of both the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.
Executive Board Member
Hon. Qiana D. Lillard
Judge Qiana Denise Lillard has served in the Third Circuit Court since 2013. She earned both her bachelors and juris doctorate degrees at the University of Notre Dame
Executive Board Member
Judge Jacquelyn McClinton
Judge Jacquelyn A. McClinton has served the 36th District Court since 2020. She is a graduate of both Wayne State University and Wayne State University Law School.
Executive Board Member
Judge Miriam Perry
Judge Miriam A. Perry has served the 15th District Court since 2020. She is a graduate of both Spelman College and the University of Michigan Law School.
Executive Board Member
Judge Aliyah Sabree
Judge Aliyah Sabree has served the 36th District Court since 2017. She is a graduate of both Youngstown State University and the Michigan State University College of Law.
Executive Board Member
Judge Michael Wagner
Judge Michael E. Wagner has served the 36th District Court since 2011. He is a graduate of both the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.