Black History Month: Honoring those who broke barriers and a look at the continuing push for equality
February is Black History Month, and the National Center for State Courts marked the occasion by recognizing some of the brave individuals who fought to break barriers and expand the judicial system to the Black community. Their early accomplishments were instrumental to maintaining the legitimacy of the judicial branch and continued acceptance of the court’s authority within the communities the courts serve. Some forged the path for a diverse judicial system almost 200 years ago, others are making headlines in 2021. Macon Bolling Allen, Jonathan Jasper Wright, Jane Matilda Bolin, Julia Cooper Mack, Robert Nix, Jr., Martin Jenkins are only a few names on the lists of firsts, but their contributions, sacrifices, and hardships endured all in the name of bringing equal representation to the judicial system.
