Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society, was honored by the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) at their 41st Anniversary Awards Gala.

MBBA’s mission is to advance equality and excellence in the pursuit of justice, aid the progress of Blacks and other minorities in the profession, address legal issues affecting the citywide community, and foster the study of law by encouraging the personal and professional development of young lawyers and law students.

Twyla Carter (center) and colleagues attend MBBA’s 41st Anniversary Awards Gala

Carter received the Public Servant of the Year Award and was toasted by The Honorable Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of the State of New York and the New York Court of Appeals, and New York City Council Speaker and Mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams.

“I humbly accept this prestigious recognition on behalf of everyone at The Legal Aid Society,” Carter said as she accepted the award. “With the growing attack on civil liberties, we will continue to stand and fight while others look away. We were built for this.”

Watch a portion of Twyla’s video tribute below.