Shequeena McKenzie, a 28-year-old trailblazer, has shattered barriers by becoming the first Black female judge in McComb, Mississippi, marking a historic moment for the city.
“It was a surreal moment because I work hard, I have faith,” McKenzie expressed to WJTV. “The next thing you know, you start reaping the benefits of the things you have invested into. It was definitely a full-circle moment for me.”
Born and raised in McComb, McKenzie harbored aspirations of effecting change from a young age. She pursued Political Science with a minor in Human Rights at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Later, she furthered her education at Mississippi College School of Law, where she graduated Cum Laude.
“I went to law because I did not want to talk about what wasn’t being done,” McKenzie explained. “I did not want to sit there and dwell on the negativity. I asked myself what I could do to help out the world.”
McKenzie’s journey towards becoming a judge was fueled by her desire to follow in the footsteps of trailblazers like Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female and first Black vice president of the United States.
She aimed to inspire and provide hope to other young women.
“Sometimes you will enter the room and no one will look like you,” McKenzie acknowledged. “Do not let that overcome your abilities. You belong in that room. You deserve to be in that room. It is a mindset you have to get. Once you get that mindset, do not let anyone stop you.”
McKenzie’s historic achievement not only symbolizes progress but also serves as a beacon of empowerment and representation for marginalized communities, inspiring future generations to strive for their dreams despite the odds.
