Before the actor who played Black Panther brought him to life on the silver screen, Thurgood Marshall had already secured his place as a real-life superhero of civil rights.
That’s exactly what the documentary “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” focuses on, inviting viewers to “reflect on his work shaping the American legal system.” As a pioneering force in the legal battle for civil rights, Marshall cemented his legacy as the first African American man to be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Through interviews with acclaimed authors, legal scholars, and family members, the film traces Marshall’s journey from his childhood and work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to his appointment to the Supreme Court — marking his inspirational accomplishments along the way. “Legally speaking, he’s one of the founding fathers,” noted author Wil Haygood. Check out a trailer for the film, below:
Born in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall came from humble beginnings during the segregation era, and as a child, his father brought him to court to watch legal proceedings. According to his son, John, Marshall was “very impressed with watching lawyers argue cases” — and he would later become one of the most eloquent advocates ever to appear before the Supreme Court.
Marshall pursued a path of academic excellence, attending two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law. From there, he embarked upon a career that would make racial equality a reality and change the future for all Americans.
Known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” Marshall time and again took up challenging causes, winning 29 of the 32 cases he argued before the Supreme Court, including the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools. His fight for equality didn’t end there, however, as many years of litigation followed thanks to “massive resistance” to the high court’s decision. Marshall never gave up, and secured victory after victory in the name of equality and justice for all.
“The work and life of Thurgood Marshall literally changed this country in ways that are incredibly positive and powerful and that still resonate today,” said Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard Law.
Marshall’s historic rise to legal prominence was rewarded with positions of note within the judiciary and the federal government. In 1961, he was appointed to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Four years later, he was appointed as the nation’s first Black Solicitor General. Then, in 1967, he was nominated to become the first Black Supreme Court justice in the United States. He served for 24 years, where he continued to champion equal justice under the law, before retiring in 1991.
Executive producer Stanley Nelson said this of the film’s iconic subject and its importance given today’s fight for civil rights: “His story has always been relevant and timely. But I think that now, when we have a real attack on history, especially African American history, it becomes more relevant than ever.”
“Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” premieres Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app. The film reminds us that before he was ever portrayed as a character, Marshall was — and remains — a true superhero of American justice.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post ‘Becoming Thurgood’: The Supreme Court Justice Who Redefined Civil Rights appeared first on Above the Law.
Before the actor who played Black Panther brought him to life on the silver screen, Thurgood Marshall had already secured his place as a real-life superhero of civil rights.
That’s exactly what the documentary “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” focuses on, inviting viewers to “reflect on his work shaping the American legal system.” As a pioneering force in the legal battle for civil rights, Marshall cemented his legacy as the first African American man to be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Through interviews with acclaimed authors, legal scholars, and family members, the film traces Marshall’s journey from his childhood and work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to his appointment to the Supreme Court — marking his inspirational accomplishments along the way. “Legally speaking, he’s one of the founding fathers,” noted author Wil Haygood. Check out a trailer for the film, below:
Born in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall came from humble beginnings during the segregation era, and as a child, his father brought him to court to watch legal proceedings. According to his son, John, Marshall was “very impressed with watching lawyers argue cases” — and he would later become one of the most eloquent advocates ever to appear before the Supreme Court.
Marshall pursued a path of academic excellence, attending two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law. From there, he embarked upon a career that would make racial equality a reality and change the future for all Americans.
Known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” Marshall time and again took up challenging causes, winning 29 of the 32 cases he argued before the Supreme Court, including the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools. His fight for equality didn’t end there, however, as many years of litigation followed thanks to “massive resistance” to the high court’s decision. Marshall never gave up, and secured victory after victory in the name of equality and justice for all.
“The work and life of Thurgood Marshall literally changed this country in ways that are incredibly positive and powerful and that still resonate today,” said Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard Law.
Marshall’s historic rise to legal prominence was rewarded with positions of note within the judiciary and the federal government. In 1961, he was appointed to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Four years later, he was appointed as the nation’s first Black Solicitor General. Then, in 1967, he was nominated to become the first Black Supreme Court justice in the United States. He served for 24 years, where he continued to champion equal justice under the law, before retiring in 1991.
Executive producer Stanley Nelson said this of the film’s iconic subject and its importance given today’s fight for civil rights: “His story has always been relevant and timely. But I think that now, when we have a real attack on history, especially African American history, it becomes more relevant than ever.”
“Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” premieres Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app. The film reminds us that before he was ever portrayed as a character, Marshall was — and remains — a true superhero of American justice.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post ‘Becoming Thurgood’: The Supreme Court Justice Who Redefined Civil Rights appeared first on Above the Law.
