In a new Diversity Dialogue podcast, Rafael Dilones, the Clerk of Richmond County Family Court and the child of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, reveals that as a child he questioned whether he was fully American, even though, as a natural born citizen, he’s as American as George Washington. He simply didn’t see anyone who looked like him in authority positions.

“When I was in grade school, none of my teachers were of color,” Rafael said. “They were all great teachers and very encouraging, but I didn't see anyone that looked like me, and I think that matters. When I saw people on TV, the people that had the power did not look like me, and the people that were marginalized, they were the people that looked like me. Representation matters so, so much, especially to the young kids. They need to see that not only are we a member of this society, but we have a lot to contribute.”

Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2024-10/Rafael-Dilonas-FINAL.pdf