Higher Heights Statement on the Biden-Harris Administration’s First 100 Days

NEW YORK (April 28, 2021) — Today, Glynda C. Carr, the President and CEO of Higher Heights for America — the only national organization exclusively dedicated to harnessing Black women’s political power from the voting booth to elected office — issued the following statement after Ketanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi were both confirmed for their respective federal judiciary positions.

“We congratulate Ketanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi in their respective confirmations to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Both of these women are highly qualified to serve in our nation’s courts and will bring much-needed representation to our country’s judicial system. 

“As she replaces now-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Ketanji Brown Jackson will continue to protect vulnerable individuals whose rights are under attack. Through her previous court rulings, she has proven that she will continuously defend people against major legal threats to their health, reproductive rights, workplace and employment, and immigration status. We are eager to support her in her continued advocacy and protection of all Americans.

“In her own right, Candace Jackson-Akiwumi has proven to be a tireless advocate and brilliant attorney, protecting individuals who couldn’t otherwise access legal support as a public defender. As the only Black woman judge on the Seventh Circuit, we are excited to support Jackson-Akiwumi as she continues to level the playing field in this critical court. 

“We look forward to the increasing diversity in our country’s judicial system until it properly represents the people living here, offering all communities the representation that is their right in all aspects of government. We are further hopeful this step will keep our nation on its path to appointing and confirming its first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court.” 

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