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The Gantt Center Mourns the Loss of Trailblazing Attorney James E. Ferguson II
Ferguson's legacy lives on through his lasting impact both nationally and locally – advancing civil rights for the underserved.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of James E. Ferguson II, a pioneering leader in civil rights law and a beacon of justice in Charlotte, NC, who leaves a legacy of courage, intelligence, and steadfast commitment to fairness.
Fondly known as “Fergie,” he was an alumnus of North Carolina State University and earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia University. He joined a group of attorneys, including Julius Chambers, to establish North Carolina's first racially integrated law firm, one of the first in the South. He successfully secured reductions of death sentences to life imprisonment for the only four individuals whose cases were decided under North Carolina's Racial Justice Act, the only law of its kind in the nation. He was part of the legal team that won a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1971, which required school districts to use busing for integration.
Beyond legal victories, Ferguson was a compassionate leader and community pillar whose influence shaped lives, institutions, and the conscience of a city. The Gantt Center, Charlotte, and the nation are forever changed by his powerful voice and relentless pursuit of a more just society.
Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2025
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