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Justice Jackson in a black suit against a white background.
View all events for category: Literature & poetry

Ketanji Brown Jackson: Lovely One

Discover a story for dreamers everywhere as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States discusses her memoir with Afua Hirsch.

Lovely One offers a moving, open-hearted account of Justice Jackson’s life, from her family’s rise out of segregation to her confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice, within the span of one generation.

Named Ketanji Onyika, meaning ‘Lovely One’, Justice Jackson describes her resolve as a young girl to realise her dreams, from hearing stories of her grandparents and parents, to honing her voice in high school as an oratory champion and student body president, to graduating magna-cum-laude from Harvard, where she performed in musical theatre and improv and participated in pivotal student organisations.

Here, Justice Jackson reveals what it takes to advance in the legal profession when most people in power don’t look like you, and to reconcile a demanding career with the joys and sacrifices of marriage and motherhood.

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 12+. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult on our site.
Event information

Bag checks are in place on entry.

An exclusive box package is available, which includes:

  • Hire of a private box (seats up to eight people).
  • Use of the Royal Retiring Room, a private lounge with its own toilet facilities, for the duration of the event.
  • One free drink per guest on arrival (prosecco, wine, beer or soft drink).
  • Dedicated host to take drinks orders throughout the event.

Access

This event is Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT) and British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).

To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.

You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
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For your visit

This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.