On Friday, February 25, 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was nominated for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. President Joe Biden made the decision to elevate an African American woman, for the first time, to a seat on the high court bench to replace retiring Justice Stephen G. Breyer.

At age 51, Jackson currently sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which is considered the most important federal court next to the Supreme Court. It has jurisdiction over cases involving Congress and the executive branch agencies. Her nomination completes a promise President Joe Biden made during the 2020 presidential campaign ahead of the South Carolina primary when he relied heavily on support from the state’s black voters.

Jackson, a former clerk to retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, has more than eight years experience on the federal bench following a path through the judiciary traveled by nominees befores her. Jackson was a member of the debate team at Miami Palmetto Senior High School and she comes from an elite legal ancestry as a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, but also has experience representing everyday Americans in the legal system as a federal public defender. She would be the first federal public defender to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and the first justice since Thurgood Marshall to have criminal defense experience. One possible key factor to her nomination could be the bipartisan support for her recent elevation to the Country’s second most powerful court. “It’s revolutionary because it’s nice to see representation with such high power,” stated senior Lee Antoine. Senior Kaitlyn Sanderson stated “It’s a disappointment that it taken so long but it’s about time for change in our government #BlackExcellence”. “I am proud and I feel like we are taking a step forward in our community and we are paving the way for future generations to make our ancestors proud,” expressed senior Joshua Miles. She is expected to be confirmed soon.