Miami, Fla. – New United States Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who grew up in Miami and became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, will have a roadway named in her honor in Miami Dade County.

Miami-Dade County Commissioners at their Oct. 6 meeting approved a resolution to rename a portion of a roadway along Southwest 184th Street (Eureka Drive), between Old Cutler Road and Caribbean Boulevard, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Street.

The area designated for the street sign is where Brown, 51, grew up in what is now Cutler Bay and where her family still lives. She graduated from Palmetto Senior High School and Harvard Law School.

County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins sponsored the resolution which was co-sponsored by Vice Chair Oliver Gilbert and Commissioners Keon Hardemon, Jean Monetime and Sally A. Heyman.

Higgins, who represents the district, said it’s a rare opportunity for the county to recognize a hometown person who made history. "Anytime the community sees someone appointed to the highest court, that deserves to be recognized."

Higgins said it took the Supreme Court 116 Justices to have the first Black woman to serve on the bench and Jackson is a trailblazer for women who strive to reach the highest achievements in their careers.

During Jackson’s confirmation hearings, "I saw a photo with her and her mother and it struck me because women like me and our daughters can experience moments like that," Higgins said. "She represents so many voices for the community and the nation and I’m proud to speak on this item and proud to bring this up. We are proud of this Havard grad."

Miami U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson applauded the honor for Jackson, who she said she has known since she was a little girl attending school.

Wilson was a Miami-Dade public schools principal for many years before she entered the political arena.

Wilson said she was so supportive of the resolution that she made a trip to the commission chambers. The last time she addressed county commissioners was about 10 years ago, she said.

"So you know how extremely important this is to me and the community," Wilson said. "I express utter and complete support for naming the street as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson."

Wilson said she lived through the Civil Rights movement, witnessed the first Black president of the United States being sworn in and the first Black female state senator, and Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court confirms another dream.

When President Biden nominated Jackson, "It was one of the proudest days for the U.S. and our community,” Wilson said. “She’s a product of the Miami-Dade Public Schools system and a trailblazer. She’s the best example of excellence."

Jackson fulfilled her childhood dream of serving on the Supreme Court when the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination to the bench in April on a 53-47 vote.

Jackson replaced Justice Stephen Beyer who retired this year. She was Beyer’s clerk.

Biden’s nomination of her reflected his 2020 campaign promise to have the first Black female Justice on the Supreme Court.

He had appointed Jackson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2021.

During the Senate confirmation hearings, Jackson defended her decisions as a federal judge after Republicans called her soft on criminals including convicted child porn criminals.

U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley (RMo.) and Lindsey Graham (RSC) attacked her judicial record including a case in which she sentenced an 18 year-old convicted of child pornography charges to three months in prison when the prosecutor recommended more time.

Hawley said Jackson told the 18-year-old he was not a pedophile, apologized to him and said sex offenders are shunned in society.