Field of excellence
Black Americans in Law
Black lawyers and judges stormed the profession that excluded them — and turned the law itself, so often a weapon against Black people, into a tool to win freedom.
Long before the civil rights movement reached the courts, Black Americans were forcing their way into the profession that excluded them. macon-bolling-allen became the first Black American licensed to practice law, in 1844 — and likely the first to hold a judicial post. charlotte-e-ray became the first Black woman lawyer in 1872. charles-hamilton-houston — "the man who killed Jim Crow" — built the legal strategy that would topple segregation and trained a generation at Howard. jane-bolin became the first Black woman judge in America in 1939; constance-baker-motley argued landmark desegregation cases and became the first Black woman on the federal bench. They turned the law itself — so often a weapon against Black people — into an instrument of freedom.
The web
Connections to other moments, systems, and investigations — the links rarely drawn together.
- part of (incoming)·PersonMacon Bolling Allen
The first Black American licensed to practice law (Maine, 1844) and believed to be the first Black American to hold a judicial position.
- part of (incoming)·PersonCharlotte E. Ray
The first Black American woman to become a lawyer in the US (1872) and the first woman admitted to the District of Columbia bar.
- part of (incoming)·PersonCharles Hamilton Houston
NAACP litigation strategist known as the man who killed Jim Crow; he laid the legal groundwork to dismantle segregation and mentored Thurgood Marshall.
- part of (incoming)·PersonConstance Baker Motley
Civil rights attorney who argued landmark desegregation cases and in 1966 became the first Black woman appointed as a US federal judge.
- part of (incoming)·PersonJane Bolin
The first Black woman to become a judge in the United States, appointed to New York City's Domestic Relations Court in 1939.