Success is not made when the mainstream public receives notice and amplifies it. For Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, it was through trial and error, through grit and determination, and through inspiration and faith that led her down the path to becoming first Black woman on the Supreme Court in 2022. Stopping in Atlanta, her 15th city in 2 weeks - Justice Brown Jackson sat with award winning Journalist Rose Scott to share her insight into her memoir, Lovely One.
The event began with a gospel serenade, touting that God was on time and that change was needed. A crowd delight, yet an interesting choice of opening considering that the stage beams red, white, and blue. The moderator shares with us the gloating remarks of Justice Brown Jackson's college roommates. They speak of her compassion, humility, and conviction. Then the audience is asked to form their own opinion of Ketanji, based on tonight's discussion.
Ketanji began writing her book soon after her appointment, soon after biographers rushed to ask for the opportunity to pen her story. She scoffed at their idea to bring her story to life and dedicated herself to sharing what Rose Scott notes as a story of love. Ketanji also makes sense of the gospel serenade, as it pays homage to her grandmother's faith and how the family was raised. With roots in middle Georgia, Ketanji reminds the audience of the power that faith and blessings have even among those with humble background.
I'm not one to give away secrets and spoiler alerts, but here's the three takeaways I gathered from the discussion and peering inside of the book:
- Find Your Tribe. Where we are born, our parents, how we are identified upon birth - is not of our choosing. Yet, Ketanji was able to find her tribe, support her tribe, and understood that this had a profound effect on who she is today. Her first tribe consisted of her hardworking parents and grandparents. Her parents who had careers in entrepreneurship, education, and law first made the leap to Miami. Ketanji being born right after the end of the Civil Rights Movement, her parents were excited to include her in every hobby and opportunity possible. This shaped Ketanji's exposure, skills, and ultimately ended up saving her life. After being accepted to Harvard, Ketanji once again found her tribe among the Black students attending the institution. This helped Ketanji stay grounded and have community. Her husband Dr. Patrick Jackson insisted that his employment be based near where Ketanji would serve - even decades before her appointment. Lastly, her eldest daughter was adamant about Ketanji holding the position of Supreme Court Justice. So much so she penned the president for her endorsement. Your tribe loves and supports your highest self and reminds you of the endless possibilities.
- Follow Your Inspiration. Also known as follow your bliss and doing what you love, Ketanji shares her pre-teen moment of discovering that she can be a Supreme Court Justice. While her father pursued contract law and ended up being the attorney for the local school board, the lightbulb moment for Ketanji was actually while reading Essence Magazine. Constance Baker Motley was the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court, and in 1966, became the first to serve as a federal judge. Seeing Constance in Essence planted a seed and ignited a desire for Ketanji's current role. This reaffirms that often our internal aspirations stem from what we see. Let statistics, education, social economic status, race, gender pick Ketanji's career and destiny and it would have been a bleak outcome. Ketanji speaks of not being well traveled, but her love for reading, writing, and her skill of debate, and her dedication put her in alignment with her childhood dreams.
- Remain Unshakable. Ketanji speaks of the grueling and long interviews for her current role. That in preparing, actors would come in and pretend to be politicians and pose questions to her that were meant to upset, discredit, and dismantle her career and life choices. Frustration seeped in, anger rose and it was evident in her responses. But a discerning colleague mentioned to her that she could continue to answer in frustration or answer to secure her position as a Supreme Court Justice. This changed her outlook and caused a shift in how she was able to handle her confirmation hearings. As Senator Cory Booker reflected, Ketanji exuded extraordinary grit and grace.
In my opinion, even if you chose not to add this book to your next set of reads, I ask that you continue to find your tribe, your inspiration and speak with calming conviction.
Desha is an economic development enthusiast and strategic partnerships creator with a successful track record in business/program development. Currently she serves as a Impact Fundraising Market Manager for Accion Opportunity Fund, Investor at Pantherum Solutions Group, and is a PhD candidate at Clark Atlanta University.
