Legacy of Brown v. Board: Sacramento State Honors Descendant with Prestigious Academic Award

Jeffery Benson's black cap and gown, adorned with stoles and cords, symbolize an extraordinary achievement. At 60, he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in career and technical studies from Sacramento State. On May 16, he donned the regalia again to receive the prestigious president's medal, the university's top undergraduate award. "I feel seen, I feel heard," he expressed, emphasizing his renewed passion for legacy. Benson, a significant figure rooted in American history, is the grandchild of civil rights icons involved in Brown v. Board of Education. Despite an unconventional journey through jazz and technology, education remained his mission. Now enrolled in McGeorge School of Law, he aspires to be a civil rights attorney, inspired by his family's enduring fight for justice.