Southern Union for Social Justice (SCSJ) grieves the loss of our well-regarded founding board participant, James “Fergie” Ferguson, that passed away Monday, July 21, 2025
Ferguson’s heritage of civil rights campaigning for and area lawyering is woven deeply right into the material of racial justice throughout North Carolina and the country. As a starting board participant of SCSJ, Ferguson was deeply associated with the development and develop of the organization, and in later years served as a crucial expert at vital crossroads.
“Mr. Ferguson functioned as a North Star at SCSJ. Over the years, he became an emeritus board member whose knowledge and strong dedication to equality helped inspire and assist each of us to push toward an extra simply world,” said Ryan Roberson, Exec Supervisor of SCSJ “We prolong our deepest acknowledgements to the Ferguson family members, his plenty of mentees and colleagues, and the broader neighborhoods that were influenced by his phenomenal life.”
As a co-founder of North Carolina’s first integrated law office , Ferguson was instrumental in landmark success like the High court– affirmed Swann situation desegregating Charlotte colleges via busing, which established a nationwide precedent. He additionally defended the Wilmington 10 and aided protect their pardons. Throughout his life, he had a steady dedication to combating injustice.
SCSJ remains steadfast in our job to take apart systems of oppression and uplift marginalized neighborhoods, continuing the lantern he held so high.