LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden has made strides in her journey after a critic once questioned her ambition by saying she wasn’t like prominent figures such as Michelle Obama or Kamala Harris. Despite the skepticism, Bolden embraced the challenge of public service and later humorously named her first child Emerson, giving her family the nickname “Em Bolden,” a word that has inspired her throughout her life.
At the age of 36, Bolden has a remarkable biography. She won a statehouse election in 2018 and became the youngest and first Black woman to serve on Michigan’s Supreme Court following her appointment in 2022. Her selection by Governor Gretchen Whitmer was confirmed by voters in the November elections.
Reflecting on her journey, Bolden recounted the historical trauma that shaped her resolve. Her family’s history includes the harrowing story of her great-grandfather, Jesse Lee Bond, who was lynched in 1939 after a trivial encounter in Tennessee. This painful legacy continues to influence Bolden’s pursuit of justice, as she aims to create a better future for families who have suffered injustice.
Michigan has a significant tradition of women serving on its highest court. With the upcoming addition of Kimberly Ann Thomas, five out of seven justices will be women—marking the sixth occurrence of a female majority in the court’s history, according to the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. However, only 41 Black women have ever served on any state supreme court in the United States, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Bolden’s election demonstrates that Black people, who make up approximately 14% of Michigan’s population, continue to have representation in the state judiciary. In contrast, neighboring Ohio’s Supreme Court is currently all-white following the reelection defeat of Justice Melody Stewart, the first Black woman on that bench. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, Judge Pamela Goodwine made history as the first Black woman elected to the state supreme court, along with a female majority for the first time in its history.
Bolden’s personal journey propelled her towards a legal career. After earning a degree from Detroit Mercy Law School and working as a defense attorney, she served on the House Judiciary Committee, advocating for criminal justice reform and domestic violence prevention. Her mother, Cheryl Harris, expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment to justice and fairness for all.
Goodwine echoed similar sentiments by emphasizing the significance of representation for younger generations. Inspired by Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Goodwine began her career as a court stenographer and gradually advanced through Kentucky’s judicial system.
Additionally, Bolden broke new ground by becoming the first candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court to campaign while pregnant, a significant milestone as documented by the Vote Mama Foundation, which focuses on supporting mothers running for public office. “There are so many people that don’t know that this is achievable,” she stated, conveying her mission to inspire others.
U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence, a Michigan Democrat, expressed her pride in Bolden’s accomplishment, having worked for years to see a Black woman in the justice role. “She’s a hard worker and she’s what the state needs,” Lawrence remarked with pride.
