Clarence Thomas is an important figure in Black history as the second African American to serve on the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed to the Court in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.

Thomas was born in Georgia in 1948 and grew up in a poor, segregated community. He overcame numerous obstacles, including poverty and racism, to attend college and eventually earn a law degree from Yale Law School.

Throughout his career as a judge, Thomas has been known for his conservative judicial philosophy and originalist approach to interpreting the Constitution. He has been a controversial figure due to his opinions on important issues such as affirmative action, civil rights, and abortion.

Despite the controversy surrounding his views and decisions, Clarence Thomas has made a significant impact on the Supreme Court and American legal history as a whole. He has been influential in shaping the Court's jurisprudence on issues related to race, civil rights, and constitutional law.