The Trailblazer: Chief Justice Cleo Powell Makes History | The Unscripted Order Podcast | Episode 21

Chief Justice Cleo Powell has sat on every level of the Virginia court system — and made history at every stop. Raised in rural Brunswick County in a four-room house with no indoor plumbing, she became the first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia, and in 2026 was sworn in as its Chief Justice — only the second woman and first African American to hold that role.In this episode of The Unscripted Order Podcast, hosts Judge Smalls and Judge Bugg sit down with Chief Justice Powell for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about her journey from a segregated elementary school to the highest court in the Commonwealth — the mentors who shaped her, the phone call that launched her judicial career, what it means to "lower the volume" in an increasingly divided legal system, and the advice she'd give to the judges who come after her.This is Chief Justice Powell's first-ever podcast appearance.🎙️ New episodes of The Unscripted Order Podcast drop regularly — subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss it.Follow us:Instagram: @UnscriptedOrderAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTubeDisclaimer: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice or forms an attorney-client relationship. This content is for educational and informational purposes only.