Kyra Harris Bolden made history on January 1, 2023, when she became the first Black woman to serve as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court after being appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Bolden brings her strong work ethic, deep respect for the law, and sense of community to Michigan's highest court. 

Bolden earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Grand Valley in 2010 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. After becoming a member of the State Bar, Bolden practiced as a criminal defense attorney. She then served as a Judicial Law Clerk in Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court under the Honorable John A. Murphy. She went on to practice as a civil litigation attorney with Lewis & Munday, P.C. before joining the Michigan Legislature in 2019.

Bolden served two terms as a state representative for the 35th District, which includes her hometown of Southfield. Bolden advocated for Michiganders as a member of the Judiciary Committee and focused her work on criminal justice reform and crafting and passing bipartisan legislation to protect survivors of sexual violence.

An active member of her community, Bolden serves as a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, Wolverine Bar Association, Straker Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, National Congress of Black Women-Oakland County, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Bolden also continues to give back to the GVSU community. She volunteers as a GVSU Southeast Michigan Ambassador and, in 2023, she gave the keynote address for the 20th anniversary of EqualiTEA, a signature event for the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity at Grand Valley.

She has received many awards including the 2021 Michigan Credit Union League “Legislator of the Year Award,” Detroit NAACP’s 2023 “Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award,” Michigan Chronicle’s “2023 Woman of the Year Award,” and a 2023 Crain’s Detroit “40 under 40 Award.” 

Bolden lives in Farmington Hills with her husband, Dr. Greg Bolden, and their daughter.

For more information about the GVSU Alumni Awards, visit gvsu.edu/alumni/awards.