NOBLE Celebrates Black History

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) held its 23rd annual Black History Breakfast on Thursday.

Retired Pasadena Police Officer Rodney Wallace served as the Master of Ceremonies at the event, which was attended by Congresswoman Judy Chu, City Manager Steve Mermell, City Attorney Michele Beal Bagneris and City Councilman John Kennedy.

Members of the Pasadena Police Department, the Pasadena Black Municipal Employee Association and the Pasadena Firefighters Association also attended the event.

Emeka Chukwurah of Rhythms of the Village provided the entertainment.

The event included a keynote speaker roundtable, including Bagneris and Laura Farber, the first Latina president of the Tournament of Roses. Farber is the third minority to hold the honor. Gerald Freeny became the first African American to lead the tournament when he led the organization in 2018-19. In 2014–15, Richard L. Chinen became the first Asian American to lead the tournament.

“I wasn’t born in this country,” Farber said. “I was born in Buenos Aires. It was a tough time for my parents and many people at the time. Prior to that, my parents were students there and there were some horrible things happening with the government in our country.”

Bagneris said she wanted to work make sure people received equal treatment.

Spectrum News Reporter Ryann Blackshere Vargas served as the moderator.

“My interest in ensuring that all people are represented fairly and that we do things to try to reintegrate people into society who have committed errors in the past,” Bagneris said. “We’ve all made mistakes and the errors are those that can be overcome.”

Noble’s mission is to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action.