CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Robert Saleem Holbrook

The A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Social Justice Champion spent 27 years in prison before a Supreme Court ruling set him free. Now, he teaches about criminal justice at Penn and heads the Abolitionist Law Center

By Jessica Blatt Press

Citizen Events Year In Review

We painted a mural and threw a party to celebrate. We invited a spectrum of American leaders who are working to fix our democracy, our media, our city government, and our city.

By Lauren McCutcheon
The Citizen Recommends

The Desegregation of Higher Ed, Past, Present and Future

Michigan State University law school dean Linda Sheryl Greene gives the Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Memorial Lecture at Penn Carey Law School — and you’re invited.

By Lauren McCutcheon

Seeing Black Excellence

Being surrounded by Black leaders I admire during two Philadelphia events reminded me why young Black men need other Black men as mentors

By Jemille Q. Duncan
Watch

Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Celebration

Philadelphia honored the late legal and civil rights giant last week during a breakfast and mural unveiling with Ken Frazier, Sherrilyn Ifill, Evelyn Higginbotham

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Color of Law

Dear Justice Clarence Thomas …

More than 30 years ago, the late Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., whom we honored with a mural this week, urged a new Supreme Court Justice to remember the help he got along the way — a message with new urgency as the Court revisits affirmative action

By A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.
The Color of Law

“Greathearted, Restless, Full of Purpose”

An oral history of the life and legacy of Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, being honored by The Citizen next week

By Malcolm Burnley
The Color of Law

A Love Song for Aloysius Leon Higginbotham, Jr.

A former law clerk to the great social justice activist and jurist recalls his mentor’s vision and influence in a world starved for heroes.

By Edward S. G. Dennis, Jr.
The Color of Law

The Rise of the Philadelphia Black Lawyer

A longtime legal legend created a detailed timeline of Black lawyers in America. Here, a look at how A. Leon Higginbotham intersected with that timeline — and made history himself

By Carl Singley
Citizen Recap

Higginbotham Mural Paint Day

Heat couldn’t keep West Philadelphia neighbors away from contributing to a legacy public work of art

By Lauren McCutcheon