Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) mourns the loss of our well-regarded beginning board participant, James “Fergie” Ferguson, that died Monday, July 21, 2025
Ferguson’s tradition of civil rights campaigning for and neighborhood lawyering is woven deeply into the fabric of racial justice across North Carolina and the country. As a founding board member of SCSJ, Ferguson was deeply involved in the development and develop of the company, and in later years functioned as an important consultant at important crossroads.
“Mr. Ferguson acted as a North Star at SCSJ. Throughout the years, he ended up being an emeritus board participant whose wisdom and fierce dedication to equality helped motivate and lead each people to press towards an extra just globe,” said Ryan Roberson, Exec Supervisor of SCSJ “We prolong our inmost condolences to the Ferguson family members, his plenty of mentees and colleagues, and the wider areas who were affected by his remarkable life.”
As a co-founder of North Carolina’s very first integrated law practice , Ferguson was instrumental in site triumphes like the High court– verified Swann instance desegregating Charlotte colleges through busing, which established a national precedent. He likewise safeguarded the Wilmington 10 and aided protect their excuses. Throughout his life, he had an unwavering commitment to combating injustice.
SCSJ stays unwavering in our job to dismantle systems of oppression and uplift marginalized communities, carrying forward the torch he held so high.