How do we become great leaders?  The Honorable JaHarr S. Pridgen tells us it’s a combination of being resilient, staying grounded, knowing your purpose, and heeding advice from mentors. Listen to the judge — the first female Chief Judge of Buffalo City Court — discuss sources of strength and explain why it’s pivotal to stay conscious about tribulations others face. Find out how one of her mentors compelled her to ruminate on the power she holds as a judge. Feeling like you can’t escape your circumstances? Judge Pridgen encourages you to keep dreaming and focus on education. Need a boost in your motivation? Get ready to learn why Judge Pridgen says your current status does not have to be your future status. Show creator: Dr. Daniel Popoola. Sound engineer: Prachetas Jai Patel. Web support: Alexandra Edelblute.

Judge JaHarr S. Pridgen — the first Black female Chief Judge of Buffalo City Court — used to remind herself, when interacting with colleagues from privileged backgrounds: I don’t have what they have; I have to work 200 times harder. She shares disappointments she has experienced but notes that she doesn’t necessarily consider them failures. Don’t miss her perspectives on building a career when you’re not born into a life of privilege, balancing time and priorities, facing imposter syndrome, and making sacrifices. She also covers the importance of familial support and establishing mentoring and community connections. Plus, benefit from her wisdom on why it’s critical to never second guess yourself. Show creator: Dr. Daniel Popoola. Sound engineer: Prachetas Jai Patel. Web support: Alexandra Edelblute.

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.