Ronnie L. White (1953- )

Ronnie L. White (1953- )

Ronnie Lee White became the first black justice to serve on the Missouri Supreme Court in 1995 and served until 2007. He was the court’s Chief Justice from 2003 to 2005. In addition to serving as a judge, White has been a public defender, an attorney, a city council...
Harry A. Cole (1921-1999)

Harry A. Cole (1921-1999)

Harry Cole, the first black justice on the Maryland Supreme Court, was born on January 1, 1921, in Washington, D.C., to a tailor and his wife. Shortly after his birth, Cole’s father died, and his mother moved him and his four siblings to her hometown, Baltimore,...
Otis M. Smith (1922-1994)

Otis M. Smith (1922-1994)

Otis Milton Smith became the first black justice on the Michigan Supreme Court in 1961, and served on the court until 1966. Smith was also the first black corporate officer of the General Motors Corporation, where he worked as general counsel, vice president, and...