Program to Examine Legacy of Landmark Brown v. Board of Education Decision
Press Release · Monday, April 22, 2024

Washington, DC

In celebration of the landmark Supreme Court decision that altered the landscape of education in the United States, the National Archives presents “The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, 70 Years Later” on Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. 

The program will feature a conversation with law clerks of former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Speakers include Sheryll D. Cashin of Georgetown Law School and Randall L Kennedy of Harvard Law School, and the conversation will be moderated by Michael K. Powell, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. 

“The Brown decision was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, laying the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement and our ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union,” said Dr. Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States.  “At the National Archives we hold the records of this case, and all other Supreme Court decisions. So I’m glad we can bring together this panel of esteemed jurists who personally knew Justice Marshall to help us explore the impact and legacy of this watershed decision.”

Welcome and opening remarks will be provided by Dr. Shogan, Rodney Slater, chair and president of the National Archives Foundation, and Anthony Lewis, vice president of Public Policy at Verizon. The program will be livestreamed to audiences nationwide on the National Archives YouTube channel. 

"The Foundation is proud to commemorate the 70th anniversary of this landmark decision, and to delve into the demand for and significance of it,” said Rodney Slater, National Archives Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation is proud to help bring these important conversations to the fore, highlighting moments throughout history that ultimately altered the landscape of our country."

The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building, located at 701 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC.

In-person attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street NW. Metro is accessible on the Green Line at the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station. 

This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Verizon.

About the National Archives

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our government so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries and online at www.archives.gov.

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org