List of African American federal judges facts for kids
The United States has a system of courts that help make sure laws are followed fairly. These courts are led by special people called judges. This article celebrates the many African Americans who have served as United States federal judges, helping to shape justice in our country. As of early 2026, over 300 African Americans have held these important positions in federal courts across the nation.
Contents
Understanding Federal Courts
The United States has different levels of federal courts.
- The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It makes final decisions on legal cases.
- The United States Courts of Appeals are the next level. They review decisions made by lower courts.
- The United States District Courts are the main trial courts. This is where most federal cases begin.
- There are also other special federal courts that handle specific types of cases, like tax or military appeals.
African American Justices in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in America. Only a few people ever get to be a Supreme Court Justice. Here are the African Americans who have served on this very important court:
| Justice | State | Began Service | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurgood Marshall | MD | August 30, 1967 | President Johnson |
| Clarence Thomas | GA | October 23, 1991 | President George H. W. Bush |
| Ketanji Brown Jackson | FL | June 30, 2022 | President Biden |
African American Judges in Courts of Appeals
The United States Courts of Appeals hear cases that have already been decided in District Courts. These judges make sure the law was applied correctly. Many African Americans have served on these important courts. Here are some of the notable judges:
| Judge | Circuit | Began Service | Service Status | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William H. Hastie | Third Circuit | October 21, 1949 | Service ended (1971) | President Truman |
| Thurgood Marshall | Second Circuit | October 5, 1961 | Service ended (1965) | President Kennedy |
| Wade H. McCree | Sixth Circuit | September 7, 1966 | Service ended (1977) | President Johnson |
| Spottswood William Robinson III | D.C. Circuit | November 3, 1966 | Service ended (1989) | President Johnson |
| A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. | Third Circuit | October 11, 1977 | Service ended (1991) | President Carter |
| Doris Pryor | Seventh Circuit | December 9, 2022 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Tamika Montgomery-Reeves | Third Circuit | February 7, 2023 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Dana Douglas | Fifth Circuit | December 16, 2022 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| DeAndrea G. Benjamin | Fourth Circuit | February 21, 2023 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Nancy Abudu | Eleventh Circuit | May 26, 2023 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Embry Kidd | Eleventh Circuit | January 2, 2025 | Still Serving | President Biden |
African American Judges in District Courts
United States District Courts are where most federal cases begin. These judges oversee trials and make decisions based on the law. Many African Americans have served as District Court judges, making important contributions to justice. Here are some of the pioneering and recent judges:
| Judge | District | Began Service | Service Status | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Benton Parsons | N.D. Ill. | August 30, 1961 | Service ended (1981) | President Kennedy |
| Wade H. McCree | E.D. Mich. | September 29, 1961 | Service ended (1966) | President Kennedy |
| Spottswood William Robinson III | D.D.C. | January 6, 1964 | Service ended (1966) | President Johnson |
| A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. | E.D. Pa. | March 17, 1964 | Service ended (1977) | President Johnson |
| William B. Bryant | D.D.C. | August 11, 1965 | Service ended (1982) | President Johnson |
| Jacquelyn D. Austin | D.S.C. | January 29, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Cristal C. Brisco | N.D. Ind. | January 26, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Julie S. Sneed | M.D. Fla. | March 4, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Melissa R. DuBose | D.R.I. | January 2, 2025 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Dena M. Coggins | E.D. Cal. | September 18, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Michelle Williams Court | C.D. Cal. | November 7, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Tiffany R. Johnson | N.D. Ga. | January 2, 2025 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Benjamin J. Cheeks | S.D. Cal. | January 9, 2025 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Bill Lewis (judge) | M.D. Ala. | November 6, 2025 | Still Serving | President Trump |
African American Judges in Other Federal Courts
Besides the Supreme Court, Appeals Courts, and District Courts, there are other special federal courts. These courts handle specific kinds of legal issues, like taxes or claims against the government. African Americans have also served with distinction in these important roles.
| Judge | Court | Began Service | Service Status | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvin C. Mollison | Customs Court | October 29, 1945 | Service ended (1962) | President Truman |
| Scovel Richardson | Customs Court | April 8, 1957 | Service ended (1982) | President Eisenhower |
| James Lopez Watson | Customs Court | March 7, 1966 | Service ended (1991) | President Johnson |
| Maurice B. Foley | Tax Court | April 9, 1995 | Still Serving | President Clinton |
| William P. Greene Jr. | Veterans Claims | November 7, 1997 | Still Serving | President Clinton |
| M. Tia Johnson | Armed Forces | January 3, 2023 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Robin M. Meriweather | Federal Claims | August 8, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
| Adam B. Landy | Tax Court | August 8, 2024 | Still Serving | President Biden |
See also
