New Mexico Black Judicial Council formed to recruit and elevate Black judges

Retired and sitting judges formally incorporated the New Mexico Black Judicial Council to “recruit, retain, sustain and elevate” Black judges to courts across New Mexico.

By: Danielle Prokop

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: March 12, 2026

Words: 310

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

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Just 42 years ago, retired Judge Tommy Jewell became New Mexico’s first African American judge, following his appointment to the Bernalillo County Metro Court bench in 1984. Now, chairing a new nonprofit led by sitting and retired judges, Jewell aims to “recruit, retain, sustain and elevate” Black judges to courts across New Mexico.

“We want to be intentional about crafting a pipeline for African American judges to emerge,” Jewell told Source NM in a call. …

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