James 'Fergie' Ferguson, a founding board member of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, passed away on July 21, 2025. His legacy in civil rights advocacy is significant in North Carolina and nationwide. Ferguson was integral in establishing SCSJ and served as an important advisor. He co-founded North Carolina's first integrated law firm and played a key role in the Swann case, which desegregated schools. Ferguson's commitment to justice influenced many and helped secure pardons for the Wilmington 10. SCSJ continues his mission to combat oppression and uplift marginalized communities.
Ferguson's legacy of civil rights advocacy and community lawyering is woven deeply into the fabric of racial justice across North Carolina and the nation.
Over the years, he became an emeritus board member whose wisdom and fierce dedication to equality helped inspire and guide each of us to push toward a more just world.
As a co-founder of North Carolina's first integrated law firm, Ferguson was instrumental in landmark victories like the Supreme Court-affirmed Swann case desegregating Charlotte schools through busing.
SCSJ remains steadfast in our work to dismantle systems of oppression and uplift marginalized communities, carrying forward the torch he held so high.
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