His enduring legacy is reflected in the generations of advocates he inspired.
“We announce the transitioning of our beloved James E. Ferguson II, on July 21, 2025. It is with deep gratitude that we shared in the unique and fulfilling life that he lived, and deep sadness that he is no longer with us. We look forward to joining the community in celebrating him, and will share details regarding the arrangements once they are finalized.”
~ The Family
About James E. Ferguson, II
Born in 1942 in Asheville, North Carolina, James E. “Bo Bo” Ferguson, II emerged from modest beginnings as one of eight children in a working-class family. His parents earned their living selling coal and kindling wood and doing domestic work for wealthier white families. Despite the challenges of segregation and poverty, he was inspired by Black mentors and educators to pursue a life in law and justice.
A graduate of Stephens-Lee High School (Class of 1960), Ferguson began his journey as a student activist during the Jim Crow era. He co-founded the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality (ASCORE), which played a critical role in desegregating public spaces in Asheville—including lunch counters, libraries, and parks. ASCORE is believed to have been the only student-led civil rights group of its kind at the time. As its first president, Ferguson attended the founding meeting of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960.
After graduating from North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) in 1964, where he served as Student Body President, Ferguson earned his law degree from Columbia University Law School in 1967. He soon settled in Charlotte, NC, and co-founded the state’s first integrated law firm…