- [Narrator] Perseverance, humility,
grace, ambition, poise, tenacity,
all words we can use to describe
the United States Supreme Court's newest justice,
Ketanji Onika Brown Jackson,
the first African American woman in history
to serve on the highest court in the nation.
Let's look back at Ketanji Brown Jackson's accomplishment
that led to her appointment to the highest court
in the United States.
(upbeat music)
Ketanji Brown's father was an attorney
for the Miami-Dade County school board,
and her mother a high school principal.
They were both graduates of HBCUs.
Their interest in public policy influenced Ketanji,
as she was quoted in her high school yearbook
prophetically announcing her interest in working
within the judicial system,
and pursuing a judicial appointment.
Brown will go to Harvard University
for both undergraduate and law school,
serving as the supervising editor
of the prestigious journal, the Harvard Law Review.
Post law school Ketanji practiced
in public and private legal spheres.
Initially, as a law clerk to Judge Patti B.Saris
of the US District Court
for the District of Massachusetts in 1996,
then to Judge Bruce M. Selya
of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
the following year.
She then practiced privately at Goodwin Procter in 2000
and Fineberg and Rosen in 2002.
In 2003, she returned to public service
as an Assistant Special Counsel
to the United States Sentencing Commission.
Then in 2005, took appointment
as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Washington, D.C,
where she handled cases before US Court of Appeals
for the D.C. Circuit.
Jackson returned to private practice in 2007
as an Appellate Specialist at Morrison and Foerster.
Upon the nomination of then President, Barack Obama in 2009,
Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the Vice Chair
of the United States Sentencing Commission in 2010.
During her time as vice chair, she was instrumental
in enacting change at the federal level
for reducing the guidelines for Crack Cocaine Offenses,
which have historically,
inequitably impacted communities of color.
Following her appointment, President Obama shared,
"Ms. Jackson has established herself
as both a top flight attorney
and a dedicated public servant.
I am grateful for her willingness to serve
and confident that she will be an unwavering voice
for justice and fairness on the Sentencing Commission."
2012 brought the nomination of judgeship by President Obama
to the United States District Court
for the District of Columbia.
Followed by her confirmation in 2013,
becoming the first African American woman appointed,
and only the second to ever serve to the District Court.
In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Jackson
to the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
as a US Circuit Judge.
Later that year in June,
Jackson was confirmed by a largely partisan senate vote,
notably joined by Republican senators, Susan Collins,
Lisa Murkowski, and Lindsay Graham,
confirming her appointment.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's appointment
to the Supreme Court took many years and faced opposition.
In 2016, President Barack Obama's vetting of Jackson began
upon the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
During the 2020 presidential election campaign,
then nominee, Vice President Joe Biden pledged
to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court
if a vacancy should be available.
With the support of advocacy groups
and civil rights organizations,
Associate Justice elect, Jackson garnered support
in overlapping political circles.
In 2022, the Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson
as Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court,
making her the first African American woman,
confirmed her lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court
will have far reaching legal impact for many generations,
which serves as a shining example
of excellence for our people,
especially, for black women and little girls.
Throughout her career,
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has advocated
for the culture.
And becoming the 116th Associate Justice
of the United State's Supreme Court is an accomplishment
we can all be proud of.
(upbeat music)