There have been many notable Black judges throughout history who have made significant contributions to the legal system and the advancement of civil rights. Some prominent Black judges include:

1. Constance Baker Motley: Motley was the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge. She was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1966.

2. Thurgood Marshall: Before becoming the first Black Supreme Court Justice in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer who argued landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education before the Supreme Court.

3. Jane Bolin: Bolin was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first Black female judge in the United States. She served on the bench in New York City for over 40 years.

4. William H. Hastie: Hastie was the first Black federal judge in the United States, appointed to the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands in 1937. He later became the first Black governor of the Virgin Islands.

5. Leon Higginbotham Jr.: Higginbotham was a prominent civil rights activist and legal scholar who later served as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

These trailblazing judges have left a lasting impact on the legal profession and continue to inspire future generations of Black lawyers and judges.