Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Inspires Fayetteville State University Students with Message of Resilience
By sharing her story, Justice Jackson inspired students to pursue their ambitions and reinforced the university’s mission to prepare future leaders.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Students, faculty, and community members packed Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University on Thursday, Sept. 4, to hear U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in a landmark moment for the university.
The event, hosted on campus by the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, featured a one-on-one conversation between Jackson and Brandon Price, CEO of the local Habitat affiliate. It offered students, particularly aspiring law professionals, a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a member of the nation’s highest court.
Chancellor Darrell T. Allison opened the event by calling it a landmark moment for Fayetteville State University and reminding students that experiences like this can ignite the spark that shapes their futures.
That message carried into the reflections of Benita Powell, associate vice chancellor, deputy general counsel and pre-law advisor, who said the moment was particularly meaningful for those planning to enter the legal field.
“Having Justice Jackson speak directly to our students is an extraordinary moment,” she said. “Her story reflects resilience, excellence, and service; the qualities we nurture in our Broncos. For our pre-law students especially, she made the path they are preparing for feel tangible.”
Jackson engaged the audience with lessons from her memoir, “Lovely One,” describing her inspiration from Judge Constance Baker Motley and her battle with imposter syndrome as a Harvard freshman. In sharing these experiences, she encouraged students to lean on their support networks and remain focused in the face of challenges.
“I came from people who were very intentional about teaching me that I could do anything,” she said.
Among those most inspired were Judge Ola M. Lewis Pre-Law Scholars Toni Worth, a senior criminal justice major from Columbia, South Carolina, and Thomas Murray, a May 2025 chemistry graduate and Pre-Law Society member from Fayetteville.
Worth said the event reaffirmed her decision to pursue law school.
“Listening to Justice Jackson’s story and hearing about her background inspired me,” she said. “Her message was that obstacles can be overcome with hard work and support from those around you. The way she spoke about her journey reminded me to stay focused, rely on my family, and believe in my potential.”
Murray agreed, adding that Jackson’s message gave him renewed confidence about his future in law.
“Being in Justice Jackson’s presence was empowering,” he said. “She made me think beyond becoming a lawyer; now I believe I could even become a judge one day. Her story proves that with determination, you can push boundaries, no matter where you start.”
Moments like these reflect the university’s commitment to connecting students with national leaders who share their experiences and inspire their growth. In previous years, the university has hosted distinguished figures, including former U.S. Cyber Command Commander Gen. Timothy Haugh, Thurgood Marshall College Fund President and CEO Harry L. Williams, and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Commissioner Jacquie McWilliams-Parker.
Jackson, who has served on the U.S. Supreme Court since 2022 following roles on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and as vice chair and commissioner on the U.S. Sentencing Commission, added to that legacy with her visit.
For Fayetteville State University students, her visit was far more than a conversation. It served as a powerful reminder that resilience and purpose are not reserved for celebrated leaders; they are qualities every Bronco can embrace and carry into their own journeys.