U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke at a University event Thursday evening, reflecting on her upbringing and the way it has impacted the current position she has to sit in the Supreme Court. The event was sponsored by the University School of Law’s Education Rights Institute, which works to advance equal education opportunity across the United States.
Jackson was raised in Miami by two public school teachers and attended public school her entire life. She graduated from Harvard University with her undergraduate degree in 1992, followed by her J.D. in 1996, and then clerked for the Massachusetts District Court before moving into private practice. Later, Jackson was nominated to the District of Columbia District Court in 2012 by President Barack Obama, and ultimately was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2022, by former President Joe Biden.
Jackson published her memoir, “Lovely One,” in 2024, which chronicles her life story as a Black woman in spaces where few others looked like her. Throughout Thursday’s discussion, Jackson referenced passages from her book to supplement her points made regarding the importance of equal education opportunities for all.
As Jackson reflected on growing up, she noted that she did not realize how privileged she was to receive a high-quality education until a moment when she learned that her grandmother did not have access to these same opportunities.
“My grandmother couldn't spell enough to write a note that was comprehensible,” Jackson said. “How grateful I [am] to be in a situation in which I [have] opportunities that my grandmother never had.”
However, despite her awareness of her privilege, Jackson emphasized her feelings of misbelonging that overtook her upon entering Harvard in 1988. She said she even spent her 18th birthday alone, feeling homesick and unsure of herself during her first semester.
“I really wanted to jump up and shout, ‘Yes, haha! I'm the one mistake of the class of 1992!’” Jackson said. “You know … imposter syndrome.”
Nonetheless, Jackson said she ended up doing well that semester — even when she felt out of place. She noted how she came to realize that she was capable of succeeding in such a competitive environment. She went on to graduate from both Harvard University undergraduate and law schools with honors.
Amid a plethora of personal stories and anecdotes, Jackson also shared experiences from her renowned Supreme Court confirmation hearing in 2022. She recalled having to meet with 98 senators prior to her confirmation, even though she said she understood many of them would not go on to vote for her. She explained how she felt frustrated until a member of the White House Counsel reminded her of her goals.
“You can get angry, or you can be a Supreme Court justice,” Jackson said.
Throughout the evening, Jackson did not shy away from acknowledging the barriers she faced as a Black woman attending primarily white institutions. She shared that she had racist remarks made to her in elementary school — which she herself does not even remember, but was made aware of through a childhood friend. She cites this lack of memory as a “survival mechanism” — something she said her parents cultivated in her from a young age.
“The survival mechanism that my parents had instilled in me [was] that you focus on your work, [you do] your best, and you’re not distracted by things that are designed in a way to take you off course,” Jackson said.
The event was heavily attended by many members of the University community, including staff, students and administrators. Third-year College student Molly Hill noted how special it was to be in attendance.
“It's not very often that you have a Supreme Court justice come to your college,” Hill said. “So it felt like a really cool opportunity.”
Interim University President Paul Mahoney and Kimberly Robinson, the ERI’s founding director and a professor at the School of Law, opened Thursday’s event. Robinson sat with Jackson for the duration of the event as both a moderator and conversationalist and said she and Jackson were law school roommates and have remained friends since.
One thing Jackson and Robinson discussed was the difficulty of navigating through these predominantly white spaces together.
“You must be better, you must be excellent at all times, to quiet the doubts and fight those who would never believe that you were qualified,” Robinson said.
Even in the face of doubt, Jackson recalled all of the mentors who inspired her to continue persevering through words of affirmation. She reminisced on a particularly meaningful exchange with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., during her confirmation hearings.
“‘No matter what these people have said to you [or] about you, you have earned this spot,’” Jackson recalled Booker saying at the time. “You are worthy. You are a great American.”
Jackson concluded Thursday’s event by reflecting on her gratitude for her opportunities. She emphasized her parents’ belief in the importance of her education and how that has continued to stay with her throughout her career.
She credited her family, Booker and the Black women who stood by her in her journey to where she stands now.
“There are so many people, and in particular, Black women throughout history, [who] never had the chance to sit on the Supreme Court. And so I'm grateful for this opportunity, and that I think propels me to continue to do the work,” Jackson said.
The Cavalier Daily interviewed Robinson prior to Thursday’s event. Robinson emphasized the amount of inspiration she has gained from watching her “dear friend” Jackson excel over the years, and said she hoped Thursday’s event would bring that same inspiration to the University community.
“She's not only a wonderful public speaker, but she's very inspiring to young people, students, faculty [and] the community,” Robinson said.
Echoing this sentiment, third-year College student Skye Milne reflected on the sense of optimism Jackson’s words gave her, following the conclusion of Thursday’s event.
“I feel very hopeful … There is a lot of craziness going on right now, being in a university in our country,” Milne said. “The fact that she is in this incredibly powerful position, as a member of this court, that's very contentious right now … and that her overwhelming sense was just grace and gratitude.”
Jackson’s 55th birthday was Sept. 14, four days prior to the event. The discussion concluded with the audience singing “Happy Birthday,” and some final remarks from Jackson.
“I [want] people to know that you can have difficult family situations and still be successful in your own lives and careers,” Jackson said.
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