Coming to PBS is “BECOMING THURGOOD: AMERICA’S SOCIAL ARCHITECT.” The film is a new one-hour documentary and explores the life and legacy of Thurgood Marshall, the visionary lawyer and civil rights leader who became the first Black justice on the United States Supreme Court.
A testament to Marshall’s extraordinary influence, “BECOMING THURGOOD: AMERICA’S SOCIAL ARCHITECT” premieres Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.
The film traces Marshall’s journey from his birth in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1908 to his formative years at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law to his groundbreaking career as a lawyer championing civil rights and dismantling segregation.
“BECOMING THURGOOD: AMERICA’S SOCIAL ARCHITECT” includes interviews with acclaimed authors, legal scholars, and family members, who offer fresh insights into the life and extraordinary influence of the man who became known as “Mr. Civil Rights.”
