ASALH Celebrates and Congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her Confirmation as an Associate Justice on The United States Supreme Court
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) celebrates and congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her confirmation as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. This is a historic confirmation and it represents how the United States of America is gradually and fitfully moving toward fulfilling its creed of equality and justice for all Americans.
Judge Jackson has had an exceptional career that more than qualifies her to serve as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. She earned two degrees at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude for her undergraduate degree and cum laude for her law degree from Harvard Law School. She also served as editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. She served as a clerk for retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer. She served as Vice Chair on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. She also brings to the Court a unique experience that no other serving Associate Justice has had. She has been a public defender, and holding this position has provided her the opportunity to see both sides of our nation’s biased justice system.
She also brings to the United States Supreme Court actual experience on the bench:
• She has served as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
• She has served as a Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Judge Jackson’s credentials and record of service show that she has more judicial experience than any of the other recently confirmed Justices at the time they were appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
Newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Image: LeLanie Foster/ courtesy of the White House.
Judge Jackson will be the first African American woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. It is a historic moment to celebrate and to rejoice. Her family background, her educational experiences, and the life that she has lived as an African American woman in this society have prepared her well to represent all Americans on the Supreme Court. She will bring to the Supreme Court a perspective on the law and justice that will serve all Americans. This is overdue; and it shows young people of all races and genders how hard work and a commitment to social justice and equality can help them to reach the top of their profession.
ASALH celebrates this very special historical moment in American History and we stand behind Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she assumes this important position on the United States Supreme Court. I believe that this historic appointment will benefit all Americans.
Lelanie Foster’s bio:
Lelanie Foster is a photographer from The Bronx, NY, whose work is centered in honoring the strength and beauty of black and brown people while encompassing themes of identity, sisterhood, beauty, and community. Lelanie’s unique perspective and sensitive approach to her subjects allows for imagery that reflects intimately warm and organic moments in a most delicate human way. For the movie Queen & Slim, Lelanie was handpicked to visually interpret the film through her photography. The resulting visuals serve as a celebratory tribute to Black life and culture. Lelanie’s projects stretch across the commercial, fashion, documentary, and fine art worlds and include commissions and publications by Nike, The New York Times, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Chanel, W Magazine, Dior, Bvlgari amongst others.