Ketanji Brown Jackson: America’s ‘Lovely One’

Imagine a night where history, inspiration, and personal stories converge. That’s exactly what happened in Charlotte when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, took the stage. A sold-out crowd gathered at the newly revamped Carolina Theatre, buzzing with anticipation to hear from the woman whose memoir, “Lovely One,” has already captured hearts.

The Meaning Behind ‘Lovely One’

The energy in the room was palpable as Justice Jackson graced the stage. She began by reading an excerpt from her best-selling book, beautifully explaining the meaning behind her first and middle names – Ketanji Onyika – which translate to ‘Lovely One.’ This personal touch immediately connected with the audience, many of whom were already deeply moved by her book.

Her journey, as shared in the memoir, highlights the honor of being raised by two parents educated at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Born just five years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Justice Jackson spoke about her early passions for theater and debating, even admitting a childhood dream of being the first Supreme Court Justice to perform on Broadway!

A Conversation with a History Maker

The event, thoughtfully put together by the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in collaboration with The Gambrell Soundation and the Arts + Science Council, featured an engaging conversation moderated by Harvey B. Gantt himself. Gantt, a pioneer as the first African-American student at Clemson University and Charlotte’s first Black mayor, shared the stage with Justice Jackson, discussing her groundbreaking path to the Supreme Court.

Justice Jackson reflected on her extensive legal career, serving on every level of the federal court before her historic appointment. She spoke about her time at Harvard University, meeting her husband Patrick, and the challenges of finding her place during her undergraduate years. These personal anecdotes added depth to her remarkable professional achievements.

Finding Strength in Adversity

One particularly poignant moment came when Justice Jackson recounted an experience on her 18th birthday. Feeling a bit down while away from her native Florida, a Black woman approached her on the Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus and whispered “persevere” before disappearing. Justice Jackson interpreted this as a powerful sign, reinforcing the words of her aunts about angels being present.

She also drew inspiration from the words of the renowned author Toni Morrison, who stated, “The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work…” These powerful insights helped Justice Jackson realize not only that she had earned her seat on the Supreme Court but that she truly deserved it. As she told the audience, “I have a seat at the table now and I’m ready to work.”