Standing on Their Shoulders

As part of NCABL’s Off the Record Series, which features NCABL members serving in elected office, we are proud to highlight Martin Moore, District Attorney-Elect for Buncombe County. Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore made history after winning the March 3 primary, positioning him to become the first African American District Attorney in Buncombe County’s history. This milestone reflects both his leadership and the continued progress of our profession across North Carolina. A seasoned attorney and public servant, Moore brings a broad and thoughtful perspective to his upcoming role as chief prosecutor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy [...]

History has a way of reminding us why our work is not only relevant but necessary. In a June 23, 1878 article published by The New York Times, North Carolina made national headlines when John Henry Collins, a Black lawyer, was nominated for solicitor in the Second Judicial District. He was described as “the first colored man ever nominated in this State for an office of this kind.” What followed was not celebration but outrage. The article details fierce backlash, including public attacks on Black political participation and open resistance to the idea that Black lawyers could serve in positions [...]

The North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers proudly honors the remarkable life and legacy of Ruth Whitehead Whaley, a pioneering attorney whose courage and achievement expanded access to the legal profession for African Americans and women in North Carolina and beyond. Ruth Whitehead Whaley was born in 1901 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where both of her parents were school teachers. A graduate of Livingstone College in Salisbury, she married Herman Whaley in 1920, who encouraged her to pursue legal education at a time when both race and gender posed formidable barriers. Whaley became the first African American woman to study [...]

The North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers proudly honors the life and legacy of the Honorable Carl Fox, a trailblazing public servant whose career marked multiple historic firsts within North Carolina’s criminal justice system. Carl Fox made history as the first African American District Attorney in North Carolina, breaking a barrier that had long excluded Black attorneys from leadership within prosecutorial offices. His election to that role represented a profound shift in access to power within the criminal justice system and reflected the trust placed in him by the community to administer justice fairly and responsibly. As District Attorney, Fox [...]

The North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers proudly honors the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Mickey Michaux, one of North Carolina’s most influential civil rights leaders, legal pioneers, and public servants. Born Henry McKinley Mickey Michaux Jr. on September 4, 1930, in Durham, North Carolina, Mickey Michaux’s life reflects more than seven decades of unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and public service. After serving in the United States Army Medical Corps and the Army Reserves, he pursued his education at North Carolina Central University, earning both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Juris Doctor. These milestones laid the [...]

The North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers proudly honors the distinguished service and legacy of Regina Parker, a trailblazing jurist whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, fairness, and community. Judge Parker made history as the first African American woman to serve as a judge in North Carolina Judicial District 2, encompassing Beaufort, Martin, Washington, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties. Her appointment to the bench marked a significant milestone for the judiciary and for the communities she has long served. A graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law, Judge Parker is a product of one of the state’s [...]