A new chapter for Michigan’s justice system is unfolding, and this one speaks directly to Detroit’s heart. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Judge Noah Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court, strengthening a legacy of Black leadership and hometown excellence at the highest level of state law.
This appointment is more than a milestone—it is a statement. With Hood’s swearing in, the Michigan Supreme Court now holds two proud Detroiters, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Judge Noah Hood, both representing the deep, unshakable roots of Black excellence that have long defined Detroit’s spirit.
“Today, I’m announcing the appointment of a new member of the Michigan Supreme Court,” Governor Whitmer shared. “These Michiganders all bring years of legal experience to their roles, and I am confident they will uphold the rule of law and serve the people admirably.”
Judge Noah Hood’s journey is one shaped by commitment, excellence, and a firm belief that justice must be even-handed and accessible to all. His path through the legal system, from assistant United States attorney to circuit and appellate judge, now leads him to the Supreme Court—a journey built not only through academic achievement but through deep service to the people of Michigan.
Born of Detroit’s legacy and carrying its resilience, Hood earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Yale. His academic pedigree sharpened a lens that sees the law not as distant theory, but as a living promise to the communities it is meant to serve.
“I have had the distinct honor of serving the people of the state of Michigan for the past six years,” Hood said. “I am deeply grateful to our Governor for her decision to appoint me to serve on our Supreme Court. I am also grateful for what it represents. For as long as I serve, the people will always be able to count on me for even-handed justice.”
Hood’s appointment fills the seat left by the resignation of Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, marking an important transition for the court and for Michigan’s future. But it also sends a deeper message to Detroit and Black communities across the state: representation is not a request. It is a rightful place earned through excellence, service, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Before stepping into this historic role, Hood served as an assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio, prosecuting cases that impacted families and communities across two states. His work on behalf of the federal government reflected a dedication to fairness and accountability, setting the foundation for his later judicial appointments.
In 2019, Governor Whitmer appointed Hood to the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County, where he presided over a broad range of civil and criminal cases. His reputation for thoughtfulness, integrity, and strong judicial temperament led to another appointment in 2022 to the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District.
Throughout his career, Hood maintained close ties to Detroit’s legal community. A longtime member of the Detroit Bar Association since 2011 and now a fellow of the association, he also serves on critical committees within the Michigan Court of Appeals, including the Rules Committee, Education Committee, and AI Working Group. His involvement in the Wolverine Bar Association and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan further underscores a professional journey grounded not just in personal achievement, but in collective responsibility to uplift the profession and the communities it serves.
Governor Whitmer, reflecting on Hood’s path, said, “I am honored to appoint Judge Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court. He has served the people of Michigan on the bench since 2019, when I was honored to appoint him first to the Circuit Court and later, to the Court of Appeals. A proud Detroiter, graduate of Harvard Law, and active member of the legal community with both trial and appellate court experience, he will bring important perspectives to the highest court in our state. I want to thank him for his many years of public service and look forward to many more on the Supreme Court.”
In this historic moment, Detroit’s presence on the state’s highest court is stronger than ever. Judge Noah Hood joins Justice Kyra Harris Bolden—the first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court and another proud daughter of Detroit—creating a profound synergy. Two Black voices from Detroit, both deeply rooted in the city’s legacy, now sit where precedent is shaped and where futures are decided.
It is not just symbolism; it is substance. It means that young Black Detroiters can look at Michigan’s highest court and see leadership that mirrors their potential. It means decisions impacting every corner of the state are informed by perspectives grounded in experience, resilience, and deep understanding of the communities often left unheard.
Judge Hood’s commitment to even-handed justice echoes the spirit of Detroit—fierce, fair, and unshakable. His background, built from federal courtrooms to appellate arguments, reflects an understanding that law must work for the people it governs, not against them.
For Black Michiganders, this moment stands tall. It represents decades of work, advocacy, and breaking barriers so that leaders like Hood and Bolden could step fully into spaces once denied to those who looked like them. It reinforces that excellence from Detroit is not a rarity—it is a norm.
Judge Hood’s story reminds communities across Michigan that representation cannot stop at the voting booth or the council chamber. It must reach the courtrooms, the judicial opinions, and the final decisions that shape everyday lives. It must sit at the tables where law is interpreted and made real.
As Judge Hood takes his seat on the Supreme Court, Michigan’s future looks stronger and more reflective of its true self. Leadership grounded in experience. Justice informed by humanity. Power shared with the people.
Detroit’s spirit now speaks with even greater authority across Michigan’s judicial landscape. And as history turns another page, the message is clear: when Detroit rises, Michigan rises.
About Post Author
