In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” Yet for nearly a century, millions of Black Americans remained enslaved under a system that denied them those very truths. It wasn’t until January 1, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for enslaved people in the Confederate states. Still, many enslaved people remained in bondage until the Civil War’s end in April 1865—and some not until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. Many enslaved Black people did not taste freedom until Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, several months after the Civil War had ended and more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. That date—now known as Juneteenth—marks a delayed but momentous declaration of freedom.

We now celebrate this historical event as a federal holiday. On June 17, 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law. The day is celebrated across the country with events that honor Black American culture, history, and resilience. It is a day for reflection, education, and recognition of the continued journey toward equality. It is a reminder that words alone are often not enough to secure the rights and freedoms of all people. 

From the victories of Thurgood Marshall to the legal architects of the Civil Rights Movement, Black lawyers have been instrumental in challenging unjust systems and dismantling discriminatory laws. Black lawyers in North Carolina have been on the front lines of these battles.

Going all the way back to the late 1800’s, George Henry White served as a Black Congressman of the Reconstruction Era. As one of the few Black lawyers in North Carolina at that time, White fought against lynching, disenfranchisement, and segregation. Following in White’s footsteps, William T. Howell was also one of the first Black lawyers to practice law in North Carolina. He was active in the civil rights community and used his law practice to fight against segregation, disenfranchisement, and inequality.

 In1964, Julius Chambers opened the first integrated law firm in Charlotte. Chambers went on to argue numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He won eight of the eight cases he argued in the Court. Chambers served as President of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), an organization that played a central role in legal battles for racial equality in the U.S.

More recently, Henry Frye broke racial barriers by becoming the first Black justice and chief justice on the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Prior to his service on the Court, Frye served as assistant U.S. attorney, working tirelessly to champion civil rights. 

Today, Anita Earls serves as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of North Carolina. She has dedicated her career to racial and social justice. Prior to joining the Court, she founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and litigated numerous cases related to voting rights, criminal justice reform, and education equity. 

These are just a few of the Black North Carolina lawyers who have long understood that words alone do not create and protect rights and freedoms. They have fought to make sure that the words in the Declaration of Independence, the Thirteenth Amendment, and the Emancipation Proclamation mean something. 

These legal pioneers reshaped the law to serve justice more equitably. Their legacies continue through the work of younger Black attorneys, judges, and law students across North Carolina who uphold the ongoing mission of Juneteenth: to realize the full freedom, citizenship, and opportunity promised—but not yet delivered—to all. 

On Juneteenth, we honor these heroes for the sacrifices they have made in pursuit of a more just and equal society. Let us remember their accomplishments and legacy not only with celebration, but with continued commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law.