From Coit Street to the Courthouse: The Grit

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.

Pridgen is from the Ken-Bailey area of Buffalo. “I love Buffalo, so this is not to say anything to discredit the City of Buffalo; I am a true Buffalonian ... But when you talk about coming from a gritty area, that’s exactly what Carl and Coit Street represent for me,” she explains.

She shares disappointments she has experienced but notes that she doesn’t necessarily consider them failures. “It’s just a part of the process for me and a part of my story.”

An example? After studying for 40 to 50 hours for the New York bar exam while maintaining a job, she failed the exam by a mere 11 points. She notes: “I was so discouraged because I had put the time in for law school, I had financially made sacrifices … but you go that far, what’s 11 points, right?” With her excellent work ethic, Judge Pridgen persevered, and the second time she took the bar, she passed.

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 — and she explains why it’s critical to never second guess yourself.

Listen to the full episode :