How the Newest Supreme Court Justice Opens New Doors to Bigger Dreams for Black Youth

Since its founding in 1789, the U.S. Supreme Court has had just two Black justices, both male: Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas. However, on April 7, 2022, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the Senate as the newest justice and the first Black woman to join this prestigious group.

This event has generated excitement throughout the Black community and beyond because it opens new doors of possibility for so many people, particularly Black women and girls. Moreover, Judge Jackson’s journey to the Supreme Court should be celebrated by all who believe in equality and opportunity for all.

Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson?

Ketanji Brown Jackson was born in 1970 in Washington, D.C. She attended Harvard University for both her undergraduate and law degrees. After graduation, she completed legal three clerkships and worked as an attorney in private practice in Boston and as a public defender in D.C. She became a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2013 and a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit last year. She has been married to her husband, Patrick, for 26 years. The couple has two children.

Her Journey to the Supreme Court

In her 51 years, Judge Jackson has accomplished much, to put it mildly. But her most recent accomplishment — being appointed to the Supreme Court — is one that will have lasting implications far beyond her own life.

This appointment also feels full circle for Judge Jackson on a personal level. She is replacing Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, for whom she clerked in the late 1990s.

On her way to this role, Judge Jackson has received Senate confirmation for three other appointments: in 2009, when she was confirmed to the U.S. Sentencing Commission; in 2013, when she was confirmed as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; and in 2021, when she received unanimous support for her appointment as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

The Women Who Walked Before Her

Judge Jackson’s appointment as the newest Supreme Court justice is significant not only because she is Black, but also because she is a woman. She joins a long line of women who have fought for equality and representation in the highest roles in our government.

In fact, of the 115 justices who have served on this highest court, only five have been women; Judge Jackson will be the sixth. Three women currently serve on the court. One of them, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, is also the first Supreme Court justice of Latin American descent.

Judge Jackson’s confirmation follows another historic first for Black women in the upper echelons of the federal government. In 2020, President Joe Biden was elected, along with his running mate, Kamala Harris. Harris is both the first woman to serve as Vice President and the first Black and South Asian American Vice President.

Also in 2020, a record number of women — 144 — held seats in the Senate and House of Representatives. The new class of lawmakers elected that year included a record number of women of color: more than 35%!

Representation in the Highest Roles

The confirmation of Judge Jackson, coupled with Harris’ election, are significant because they show that representation of Black women in the highest roles of government is possible. Their success shows Black youth that their own dreams and aspirations are not limited by their skin color or gender. These youth can see people who look like them succeeding at the highest levels and know that they, too, can achieve their goals. It is a meaningful step toward equitable representation for Black people, and especially Black women, at the highest levels of power and influence.

Research has shown that representation matters for two key reasons: inclusivity and perception. When children have positive perceptions of role models who look like them, whether it’s fictional TV characters or very real people like politicians and athletes, it opens up doors of possibility for them.

It’s very difficult to imagine yourself as, say, the CEO of a company, the president, or a Supreme Court justice if you never see anyone in these roles who looks like you. And what you cannot imagine, you cannot achieve. When everyone in these roles is white or male, the cruel, not-so-subtle message to everyone else is: You don’t belong here. This is for other people, not you.

In contrast, when children have role models who look like them, they feel included and positive about who they are — they can dream of a bright future where people who look like them succeed.

And of course, even if you are not Black, Judge Jackson’s appointment sends an inspirational message that should make any American proud. When President Barack Obama was elected in 2008, it was a historic moment not only for Black Americans, but for all Americans, too. His election showed that anything is possible in this country — no matter who you are or where you come from.

What This Means for Black Youth

For Black youth, and Black girls in particular, Judge Jackson’s appointment will inspire a new generation of leaders. It is up to the youth of our nation to continue to fight for equality and opportunity for all. And with the example of role models like Judge Jackson, it will be exciting to see what barriers are broken next.