Gov. Newsom must appoint a Black man to the California Supreme Court | Opinion
Justice Martin Jenkins’ retirement marks a pivotal moment for California’s Supreme Court. As one of the few Black men ever to serve on the state’s highest court, Jenkins brought compassion, rigor and a deep understanding of the human experience — qualities that made his presence on the bench transformative. Now, his departure creates an urgent opportunity to continue building a judiciary that truly reflects the people it serves.
His service reminded Californians that our courts are at their best when they reflect the people they serve.
I had the honor of working with Jenkins during his time as former Gov. Jerry Brown’s senior judicial appointments advisor. In that role, he was deeply committed to building a judiciary that looked like California. He believed that a diversified bench was essential to a fair and trusted justice system.
Jenkins approached that responsibility with humility and purpose, knowing that each appointment was not only about merit, it was also about broadening who gets to define justice in our state. His approach reflected his belief that California’s strength lies in the inclusion of everyone.
As Gov. Gavin Newsom considers his next appointment, he has another opportunity to lead by example and once again make history by appointing a Black man to the California Supreme Court.
It’s no secret that Black men have long held a complicated relationship with the law. For generations, we have experienced both its promise and pain. We have been overrepresented in the criminal justice system, but underrepresented in the system that defines it. We have been subjects of its rulings, but too rarely its authors.
When Jenkins joined the court, he brought more than his legal knowledge. He brought a perspective shaped by life, faith and perseverance. That kind of representation matters because it builds trust in the system itself.
Through my work in state government and organizations like the California Legislative Black Caucus and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, I’ve seen firsthand how representation changes outcomes. When people see themselves in power, it strengthens faith in justice; when they don’t, doubt and distance grow.
Our justice system cannot afford that distance, especially at this moment.
California prides itself on diversity, but diversity is not self-sustaining. It requires deliberate action, especially at the highest levels of power. Jenkins’ departure will leave a visible gap, both in lived experience and leadership. The bench must include voices that understand the challenges faced by communities who still question whether justice is applied equally — or if it even exists.
Newsom has built a record of inclusive appointments that reflect the strength of our state. This moment calls for that same leadership. Appointing another Black man to the court would affirm that representation is not symbolic, it is substantive, and it matters. It would signal that California recognizes the value of those who have navigated and challenged its systems and who now stand ready to shape them for the better.
There is no shortage of qualified Black men in California’s legal community. Across our courts, universities and law firms are jurists and advocates who have spent their careers expanding access to justice, mentoring young lawyers and strengthening trust in the law. Their lived experiences and professional excellence make them exactly the kinds of voices we need to keep California’s Supreme Court grounded in the realities of the people it serves.
Representation at the top levels of our state is more than a matter of fairness, it is about perspective. Leadership shaped by a lifetime of navigating inequity has a unique capacity for empathy and accountability. When Black men are visible in senior leadership roles, it sends a message to young people across California that their stories belong not only in the courtroom, but also on the bench, in the boardroom and in the Legislature, where decisions about our future are made.
By appointing another Black man to the Supreme Court, Newsom can reaffirm that progress in California is not episodic — it’s enduring.
Steven Bradford is a former member of the California State Legislature.
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Gov. Newsom must appoint a Black man to the California Supreme Court | Opinion."