Extended Trailer
Preview: 9/9/2025 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Explore the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice.
Explore the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice. The film follows Justice Marshall, known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” from his legal career with the NAACP to his 1967 appointment to the nation’s highest court.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect is sponsored in part by Morgan State University, Theralogix, Sage Policy Group, and Allan M and Shelley Holt (through the Hillside Foundation).
Support provided by:
Extended Trailer
Preview: 9/9/2025 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Explore the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice. The film follows Justice Marshall, known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” from his legal career with the NAACP to his 1967 appointment to the nation’s highest court.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect
Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSHERRILYN: Thurgood Marshall was a wonderful human being who also happened to be an icon.
WIL: Legally speaking, he's one of the founding fathers.
SHERYL: Whatever was going on, people said, "Don't worry, Thurgood's coming."
GILBERT: Thurgood's coming.
WIL: Thurgood is coming.
SHERRILYN: He understood how to use the power of his voice, so he wasn't just a litigator.
He was doing so much more.
WIL: He had to know the law up and down and backwards, and he did.
GILBERT: Here you have this eloquent storyteller, Mr. Civil Rights, arguing, and it was inspirational.
SHERYL: He's the only Supreme Court justice who was more famous for what he did before rising to justice.
SHERRILYN: The work and life of Thurgood Marshall literally changed this country in ways that were incredibly positive and that still resonate today.
Support for PBS provided by:
Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect is sponsored in part by Morgan State University, Theralogix, Sage Policy Group, and Allan M and Shelley Holt (through the Hillside Foundation).