From the Basin to the Bench: Alamogordo Delegation Joins Historic Celebration of New Mexico’s First Black Judicial Council

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — While the eyes of the legal world were fixed on the state’s capital and its largest metropolitan centers this past Friday, the heart of the Tularosa Basin was beating loudly in the halls of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. On February 27, 2026, a distinguished delegation from Alamogordo traveled to Albuquerque to witness a milestone in New Mexico’s history: the inaugural celebration of the New Mexico Black Judicial Council (NMBJC).

Representing the Alamogordo community were Mayor Sharon McDonald, local activist and community pillar Vesta Sherrie Edmonds, and former Otero County Probate Judge LaTanya M. Boyce. For those in attendance, the evening was more than a formal gala; it was a profound acknowledgement that the leadership emerging from Alamogordo is inextricably linked to the state’s march toward a more equitable and diverse judiciary.

The celebration marked the first major public gathering of the NMBJC since its formal incorporation on December 17, 2025. Established as the state’s first affinity organization for Black jurists, the nonprofit was created to foster professional development, mentorship, and a collective voice for Black judges in New Mexico. The event, held during the final days of Black History Month, served as a powerful reminder of how far the state has come—and the work that remains.

For the Alamogordo delegation, the highlight of the evening was seeing one of their own honored among the state’s judicial pioneers. Former Judge LaTanya M. Boyce, a familiar face of leadership in Otero County, was seated in a place of high recognition. Boyce’s journey on the bench began in March 2015, when she was first appointed to the Otero County Probate Court. She quickly cemented her legacy, winning a full term unopposed in 2016 and successfully defending her seat again in 2022. Known for her steady hand and her encouraging mantra to "stay in the race," Boyce served for a decade before stepping down in August 2025 to pursue new paths of service, including a nonpartisan run for Mayor and her ongoing work as an Early Childhood Navigator with the 100% Otero County Initiative.

The program featured a "living history" of the Black experience in the American legal system. Retired Honorable Judge Tommy Jewell, one of the first African American judges in New Mexico's history, delivered a keynote address that traced the long journey from solitary trailblazing to the collective power represented by the new Council.

He was joined by national icons of the bench, including Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson, the first African American female judge in Utah, and Judge Freddrenna Lyle of the Illinois Appellate Court.

Also in attendance was New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge Shammara H. Henderson, the first African American to serve on that court and a driving force behind the NMBJC’s formation.

Despite the high-profile nature of the guests, the evening maintained a sense of intimate solemnity. Strict security protocols at the courthouse meant that attendees were prohibited from taking photographs, even after business hours. While no digital record exists of the smiles and handshakes exchanged, the impact of the night was visible in the shared energy of the participants.

Local leaders noted the importance of being "in the room" to ensure that the unique needs and successes of rural communities like Alamogordo are recognized in statewide equity initiatives.

The presence of Mayor McDonald and Vesta Sherrie Edmonds alongside Judge Boyce underscored a unified front from the Tularosa Basin. Their participation highlighted the vital role that local community leaders play in supporting broader representation across the state. As the NMBJC begins its work of shaping the next generation of New Mexico’s legal minds, the delegation from Alamogordo ensured that our city’s history and its future were part of that foundational story.

As the evening concluded, the sentiment was clear: the incorporation of the New Mexico Black Judicial Council is not just a win for Albuquerque or the legal elite—it is a victory for every New Mexican who believes in a judiciary that reflects the diverse faces of the people it serves.

For Alamogordo, seeing retired Judge Boyce recognized on the stage and having representation of Alamogordo by Mayor McDonald and citizen activist Vesta Sherrie Edmonds was a reminder that our community continues to produce leaders whose influence reached far beyond the Sacramento Mountains.

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