Black woman to serve as Supreme Court of Virginia’s Chief Justice for first time ever
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Black woman will serve as the Supreme Court of Virginia's Chief Justice for the first time ever following a unanimous vote.
The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously elected Justice Cleo E. Powell as the court's Chief Justice-elect, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the Virginia State Bar.
Upon assuming office, she will become the first Black woman to ever serve as Chief Justice in the history of the Supreme Court of Virginia, per the release.
Powell has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia since she was elected by the General Assembly in 2011.
Chief Justice-elect Cleo E. Powell of the Supreme Court of Virginia. (Photo: Virginia State Bar)
Prior to holding that position, she served as a judge within the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and the Chesterfield General District Court.
VSU professor’s ‘Nursery Rhymes in Black’ nominated for Pulitzer Prize
According to the release, Powell will succeed the retiring Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn, who has held the role since Jan. 1, 2022.
Powell will officially assume office on Jan. 1, 2026.
