Champions for Justice: March 2024 Vol. 2

WHAT'S I

From AMESSAGE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With immense enthusiasm and a heart full of joy, I am elated to unveil the second edition of the NACP quarterly "Champions for Justice" eJournal In this issue, we spotlight a luminary of the legal profession and a titan of civil rights, Attorney James E. Ferguson II. His captivating conversation, led by the esteemed Elisa Chinn Gary, Founding Member of the NACP, delves into the profound journey and pivotal moments that have defined his legacy as a justice giant His narrative is not just a story to be told it's a clarion call that beckons you to “Use your voice, power, and position to protect the rights of all people and advance procedural fairness.”

PamelaA.Hunter

This edition also celebrates the vital, yet often overlooked, heroes within our judiciary the Clerks of Court. While many may be familiar with the title and role “Clerk of Court,” many are unfamiliar with the full scope of responsibilities that rest on their collective shoulders. These guardians of justice tirelessly toil in the shadows, ensuring the seamless operation of our courts Beyond the known title lies a vast expanse of duties these dedicated professionals shoulder in order to

orchestrate the court's business with precision From strategic oversight and organizational performance management to ensuring strict adherence to case protocols, these individuals serve as the pivotal nexus between the court, judicial officers, and the community.

As the linchpin of the Clerk's Office, these exceptional leaders are charged with steering the court's enterprise, embodying the ethos of strategic foresight, meticulous compliance, and the human touch that connects the court with its stakeholders. They stand as the embodiment of the courts, assuring that every interaction with the judiciary is marked by efficiency, effectiveness, and equity. This issue of “Champions for Justice” features the Honorable Elisa Chinn-Gary, Clerk of Superior Court and Judge of Probate, Mecklenburg County, NC; the Honorable Che’ Alexander, Clerk of Courts for Fulton County, GA; and the Honorable Mahasin El-Amin, Circuit Court Clerk, Prince George’s County, MD.

It is with profound respect, boundless admiration, and heartfelt gratitude that we dedicate this edition to Mr. Ferguson and every Clerk of Court across the judiciary Your unwavering dedication and sacrifices on the altar of judicial fairness are not just acknowledged they are celebrated.

Readers, as you immerse yourself in the pages of this edition, I am confident that you will emerge more committed, inspired, and motivated to play your part in the noble quest for universal justice Let this be a moment of awakening, and a call to action Together we can and will forge a path toward a world where true justice prevails for all

JAMES E. FERGUSON II JAMES E. FERGUSON II

BY: ELISA CHINN-GARY

UNSUNG HERO OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT UNSUNG HERO OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

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som I can pro on II.

Af equally honored to introduce him to the National Association of Court Professionals

Professional Excellence

It is a gross understatement to characterize Fergie as an accomplished civil rights, criminal defense, and medical malpractice attorney. He is undeniably one of the greatest jurists of our lifetime. He has spent the past six decades championing an international equal justice movement At 82 years young, he is vibrant, focused and still challenging this nation’s legal system to uphold the promise of justice for all

Fergie’s legendary career embodies an unwavering commitment to professional excellence. He is the president of the Charlotte-based firm Ferguson, Chambers & Sumter, North Carolina’s first racially integrated legal practice. He commands the long-standing recognition of the National Law Journal as one of the country’s Top 10 Litigators. Voted by his peers as a Super Lawyer, Fergie is consistently recognized among The Best Lawyers in America He has held chair or president positions at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers. A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he is a coveted member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an exclusive organization of the nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

A brilliant academic, Fergie has lectured at Harvard Law School and North Carolina Central University Law School. He was selected as an Honorary Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a Distinguished Scholar-inResidence at Santa Clara University Law School Fergie’s professional excellence spans the globe He co-founded South Africa’s first Trial Advocacy Program, offering instruction and training to black and white lawyers alike, during the apartheid era and beyond. He has taught trial advocacy in London, Cambridge and Stratford-on-Avon, England.

If one were to surmise that Fergie’s professional prominence, distanced him from the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South or the people who bear its burden, they would be sorely mistaken His legal career has been centered on responding to the needs of the poor, the weak, the downcast, the falsely accused, the disadvantaged, the hopeless, the outcast and the voiceless. When asked if that was by design, Fergie responded with a resounding yes. “We wanted to help those who needed it the most in every aspect of their lives. We've tried to help people who didn't have rights gain rights, people who didn't have opportunity to gain equal opportunity and to help those who are injured get just and adequate compensation for their injuries and to promote and protect rights. I was prepared to be their voice.” Fergie’s voice has become one of the most compelling and important of our time

The Roots of Racism

The collective body of civil rights cases that Fergie has defended over the span of his career demonstrates his commitment to the right to vote, equal access to education, fair employment, and racial equality. One such example is his defense of the “The Wilmington Ten.” In early February 1971, amid racial and political tension surrounding desegregation, downtown Wilmington, NC erupted into a war zone. Shots were fired, businesses were torched, streets were blocked, and violence exploded Members of the Ku Lux Klan and a white supremacist group called The Rights of White People blamed African American activists for the mayhem It took days for order to be restored and drew worldwide attention. Ten young protestors, some teenagers, were arrested, charged, and convicted of arson and conspiracy. The "Wilmington Ten" were sentenced to a combined 232 years in prison for an arson in which no one had been hurt and evidence was believed to be fabricated. All ten served nearly a decade in prison before an appeal won their release. Fergie described the case as having “devastated the lives of those young people” and a “good example of the system gone awry in the face of racial hysteria ”

The Wilmington Ten were perceived to be political prisoners by those who believed that they were prosecuted not for any unlawful act but for their beliefs In 2012, NC Governor Beverly Purdue pardoned the Wilmington Ten, stating "These convictions were tainted by naked racism and represent an ugly stain on North Carolina's criminal justice system that cannot be allowed to stand any longer." Four of the Wilmington Ten died before they were pardoned.

Race Is Always on the Table

Historical and present-day racial disparities in the criminal justice system are well documented. The disproportionate racial impact of select laws and policies, as well as biased decision making by justice system actors, leads to higher rates of arrest and incarceration in low-income communities of color, harsher sentences for Blacks than Whites who commit the same crime, and long-term economic and political disenfranchisement of those victimized by mass incarceration As a young black lawyer in the 1970’s, Fergie tells of a well-known, unwritten rule in North Carolina courtrooms. Namely, do not mention race or raise objections to it. Before the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed racial discrimination in jury selection, Fergie recalled objecting to Black people being excluded from jury selection. The judge not only angrily overruled his objection, but berated him for “seeing race in everything,” recounts Fergie. “I have come to realize that race permeates everything in our criminal punishment system ”

I, too, believe that race is always on the table. Long before I met Fergie, a criminal case connected our paths. It was the highly publicized case of Darryl Hunt. Darryl was a 19-year-old, black man, arrested, charged, and convicted of the 1985 rape and murder of Deborah Sykes, a white woman in Winston-Salem, NC. Darryl maintained his innocence from the beginning and although DNA evidence excluded him as the attacker in 1994, it took another 10 years of legal appeals to secure his exoneration I grew up in Winston-Salem I was in high school at the time of his arrest I remember the racial hysteria of government officials, law enforcement, the media, and many within the white community to arrest and convict someone, anyone. There was a looming fear and certainty within the black community that a young black man would be sacrificed, rather than justly tried, for the crime. I remember my mother’s prayers asking God to protect her sons from the forces of evil and injustice. My brothers and our family were spared. Tragically, Darryl Hunt and his family were not. Through the years I heard horrific stories recounted by Darryl of being terrorized by racist prison guards, targeted by white supremacist, and being restricted to solitary confinement.

There is an HBO documentary entitled “The Trials of Darryl Hunt” casting Darryl as a champion for racial justice. Those who heard Daryll speak to eagerly listening audiences knew that he was struggling to recover from incredible trauma “You never get over the trauma experience of being in prison,” Darryl told a group in 2013, “You just learn to live with it.” Sadly, Darryl took his life in 2016.

“Darryl insisted he was innocent, and I believed him as did others We worked on the case for 20 years I was in it to help That was important to me We were devoted to the case,” shared Fergie. The injustices Darryl suffered false testimony, hidden evidence, all-white juries led to groundbreaking legal reforms: new interrogation techniques, changes to how lineups were conducted, and new laws that force police to turn over all reports. His case also helped bring about the Racial Justice Act, which prohibited seeking the death penalty based on race Righting the Wrong: The Racial Justice Act

The North Carolina legislature passed the Racial Justice Act in 2009 It led to a statewide study showing that, in capital trials, prosecutors dismissed Black citizens at 2.5 times the rate they excluded whites. This disparity was driven entirely by race and could not be attributed to any other factor, such as death penalty views. It also found that crimes with white victims were twice as likely to be punished with death. Arguing before the NC Supreme Court on behalf of four death row prisoners, Fergie boldly asserted, “We must finally bring the evil of race discrimination out of the shadows and into the sunlight We must speak honestly about the ways it has distorted our justice system Only once we have done that, can we begin to build a new structure that truly seeks justice ” All four death row inmates won their cases using the study to show a pattern of race discrimination in North Carolina capital cases and were resentenced to life without parole.

Courage Under Fire

Fergie’s civil right triumphs began early in life, when as a student at the all-black junior high school in Asheville, North Carolina, he organized a group of classmates and formed the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality. Its purpose was to join the sit-in movement and advance desegregation of public facilities. He expanded his advocacy and began meeting with students from the all-white school to discuss issues of race The collaborative became known as the Greater Asheville Interfaith Group. Their efforts positively impacted the desegregation of lunch counters, libraries, and other public facilities in Asheville.

After graduating from high school, Fergie enrolled in NC Central University, where he continued his civil rights work in the sit-ins and desegregation efforts in Durham, NC. He received his JD from Columbia University in 1967, after which he joined famed Attorney Julius Chambers and two other lawyers to create North Carolina’s first racially integrated law firm. In it’s first decade, the firm was acclaimed as having done more to influence federal civil rights law than any other private law practice in the United States.

Fergie described the resistance and opposition to their work as “fierce” and recounted getting a phone call in the middle of the night notifying him that their law office had been firebombed. He drove to the office and saw the two-story office building engulfed in flames At the time, his law partner, Julius Chamber, was the lead attorney in the landmark case, Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. The importance of the Swann case cannot be overstated. It established court-ordered busing of students as a constitutional means of desegregating public schools and permitted the court to monitor the implementation of local desegregation plans until a sufficient racial balance of students w achieved.

However, this Civil Rights triumph, came at cost. In a series of violent attacks, Attorney Chambers’ home was bombed, his car dynamited, and his father’s garage set on fire twice Chambers and his family survived these acts of hate and miraculously no one was injured Each strike was designed to evoke terror and intimidate civil rights leaders into abandoning their pursuit for justice. According to Fergie, the attackers failed. “None of those leaders were intimidated to the extent that they would back down. Julius Chambers was one the most courageous people I’ve ever known. He refused to be intimidated and that inspired us to do more,” said Fergie. When asked if he ever feared for his safety or that of his family, Fergie rejected the usefulness of fear. “I prefer to focus on the work ahead.” Quoting Dr. King, he continued “if a man has nothing to die for, he really has nothing to live for ” Many in the Charlotte community responded with increased courage, hope and determination and helped rebuild the law office No arsonist was ever arrested for the 1971 bombing of the law office.

Progress and the Path Forward

James E Ferguson II has been steadfast in fighting for justice in a legal system that has historically excluded, exploited, oppressed, and underserved people of color. Today, more people of color hold positions of power and influence within that system. Here are a few words of wisdom and encouragement for court professionals who wish to disrupt and eliminate the manifestations of institutional racism

Investigate and learn the true history of race in this nation. Do not fall prey to myths of racial superiority and inferiority

Acknowledge the existence of institutional racism in our courts Examine the role of implicit bias in decisionmaking and learn ways to mitigate it.

Use your voice, power, and position to protect the rights of all people and advance procedural fairness.

Face resistance and opposition with courage, reason, and determination. Giving up is not an option. Allow the collective experience, knowledge, and creativity of NACP membership to support you in your vision of reimaging a court that truly seeks justice

THE HONORABLE CHE’ ALEXANDER

CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT

FULTON COUNTY, GA

BY: JESSIC

It is h of accol trate Cour al who has sp y p y g y y , n the legal system only provides one layer in the illustrative quilt of her successful life; her resiliency in overcoming adverse childhood experiences and domestic violence as an adult provide the remaining layers of her quilt that truly demonstrates the enormity of her achievements Alexander’s interactions with people throughout these nuanced stages of her life served as her motivation to pursue a career in the court profession, “From an early age, I was deeply influenced by individuals who boldly spoke out against common injustices. Growing up in a community where access to justice was limited,” said Alexander, “I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that the court system can have on people's lives. This experience ignited a passion within me to pursue a career dedicated to ensuring fairness, accountability, and equal access to justice for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Alexander’s background provided her with an appreciation for cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and empathy in fostering trust and promoting fairness within the legal system Her background also provided her with a blueprint for her work as Clerk, “[My] perspective informs my commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, and community engagement in all aspects of my work as Fulton County's Clerk of Courts. I believe that by embracing and celebrating our differences, we can create a more just, equitable, and compassionate judicial system that reflects the values and needs of the communities we serve.”

Like most court professionals of color, Alexander can recall a time in her career when she was confronted with a significant obstacle and the lessons she learned from this experience. “I can recall a significant obstacle I faced early in my career, where resistance to innovation lacked any other explanation and threatened to impede progress and innovation within the [court] system By engaging stakeholders, listening to their feedback, and providing reassurance, we were able to overcome resistance and successfully implement the digital court records system This experience taught me the importance of effective communication, adaptability, and perseverance in navigating challenges and driving meaningful change within the court system. I believe that by sharing our experiences and learning from each other, court professionals can better navigate their own challenges and achieve positive outcomes for their communities,” said Alexander.

Her life experiences have afforded her an appreciation of the vital role the Clerk plays in the court system and an opinion about changes or improvements that are necessary to make the court system more equitable “To meet the evolving needs of our communities and ensure equal access to justice for all individuals, I believe that the court system must undergo significant changes and improvements. This includes modernizing processes and embracing technological advancements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility,” said Alexander. “Additionally, we must prioritize initiatives that promote restorative justice, rehabilitation, and alternatives to incarceration, particularly for nonviolent offenses and individuals from marginalized communities.

Fulton County Courthouse - Atlanta

By focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions, we can reduce recidivism rates, address underlying social inequalities, and promote long-term positive outcomes for both individuals and society.”

For Alexander, addressing systemic issues such as recidivism, social inequality, and disparate outcomes requires a multifaceted approach and a bold commitment to confront challenges experienced by people of color “I firmly believe in engaging stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, fostering open dialogue, and seeking evidence-based solutions to complex problems By building coalitions, identifying common ground, and advocating for meaningful change, we can navigate political landscapes and opposition while staying true to our values and objectives.”

Appointed to the role of Clerk in July of 2023, this year Alexander finds herself campaigning to retain her position. Like most state’s court systems, the role of Clerk is a political one; yet Alexander does not regard herself as a politician, but as “passionate public servant” with an opportunity and responsibility to confront and address challenges related to racial disparities and injustice within the court system. “I believe we must actively advocate for policies and practices that promote fairness, equity, and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status,” said Alexander “By leveraging our positions and platforms, we can drive systemic change, advance justice for all, and create a more equitable and inclusive judicial system that reflects the values and aspirations of our diverse society.”

She believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just moral imperatives, but are essential components of a fair, effective, and legitimate court system. “In order to foster trust, promote legitimacy, and ensure equal access to justice, court organizations must reflect the diversity of the communities they serve and actively work to dismantle systemic barriers and biases that perpetuate inequality and injustice,” said Alexander. “Court professionals can actively promote diversity and inclusion in their workplaces by embracing inclusive hiring practices, providing ongoing training on diversity, equity, and cultural competence, establishing mentorship and support programs for underrepresented professionals, and creating a culture of belonging where all voices are valued and respected By championing diversity and inclusion, we can create more equitable and effective workplaces, strengthen community trust, and uphold the principles of justice for all individuals.”

Alexander considers the Clerk of Courts the “heartbeat” of the court system, and she ensures that those unfamiliar with her role know that without her stamp, orders do not become official, cases do not get docketed, and prisoners do not get released. She values being her authentic self in her role and embraces the responsibility of mentoring and guiding young court professionals in navigating the challenges of the workplace “My advice to court professionals who are willing to tackle these challenges head-on is to remain resilient, maintain integrity, and stay focused on the larger mission of advancing justice and fairness for all individuals It's essential to cultivate strong relationships, seek out allies, and continuously educate ourselves on best practices and innovative approaches. By working together and staying committed to our shared goals, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and drive meaningful progress within the court system.”

ELISA CHINN-GARY

MECKLENBURG COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT & JUDGE OF PROBATE

BY: JESSICA DAVIS

From Witnessing Injustice to Championing From Witnessing Injustice to Championing Equity: The Journey of Elisa Chinn-Gary Equity: The Journey of Elisa Chinn-Gary

It’s 1984, Lisa Chinn is a high school freshman. She is academically gifted, enjoys school and plays the viola in the orchestra. She has a crush on a boy. Lisa loves everything Michael Jackson but makes room for Cindi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” She lives in the corner house on 24th Street with her parents and brothers. She walks to school every day, knows her neighbors, and feels safe and loved nestled inside her black community Life is simple Life is good

It's 1984, the evening news tells the story of finding the dead body of a woman in downtown Winston-Salem, NC Lisa knew she was white because she saw her picture on TV She had been raped, stabbed, and her body left abandoned Lisa understood a horrific event had taken place but wondered why her parents were so worried about the details of the investigation. She wondered why her neighbors started checking-in to see how the family was fairing. “Fairing? We don’t live downtown. We didn’t know this lady. Why the fear and constant worry?” Lisa pondered.

It's 1984, police are combing the neighborhood and the city. Young black men are being stopped and questioned. Others are being detained and interrogated for long periods of time. Every day in the school cafeteria, bathroom, and music room, Lisa hears classmates whisper about police brutality and harassment. Her parents started driving her to school and picking her up more often. What was once a highlight of her day, was now too dangerous.

It’s 1984, the doorbell rings. Lisa is on the phone talking to her friend, Michelle. She tells Michelle that she will call her back. The police are at her front door. Lisa watches her mama talk to the detectives from the doorway. She can’t hear the whole conversation but carefully listens for any inflection in her mother’s voice Lisa’s mother never invited the detectives inside They gave her a card and left

It’s 1984, families gathered in black churches to pray, comfort one another, and learn of new developments in the arrest of Darryl Hunt The arrest did not provide closure for Lisa, her parents, neighbors, or friends The arrest only confirmed that one of their own had been taken.

This is the lived experience of Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn-Gary that influenced her decision to pursue a career in law and court administration. Darryl Hunt was tried and convicted, only to be exonerated twenty years later due to a lack of evidence connecting him to the crime.

As a Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, with a background rooted in “humble beginnings”, Chinn-Gary witnessed first-hand the unjust outcomes that honest, hard-working, people often receive when encountering systems and institutions. One of six children, she describes her parents as advocates and protectors of their children. “I always felt a responsibility to advocate and protect others if I could,” she said, “unfortunately encountering people who were unjustly accused was not uncommon in Winston-Salem. The case of Darryl Hunt was but one example of what happens in our courts and community. I always had a disposition for defending and I admired people who were serving in that role I felt that it was something I could, should, and must do ”

But, following high school she did what most Black high school graduates do at the direction of their parents she got a “good job with benefits” Her job? Working in government service at the Veteran’s Administration It did not take her long to realize that this was not a fulfilling path So, she kept her full-time job and matriculated full-time at Winston-Salem State University on an academic scholarship. Her drive to defend ultimately led her to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned an advanced degree in social work and her juris doctor.

Following law school, Chinn-Gary worked as a juvenile defense attorney for a non-profit law firm before finding herself back in government service, working as the Juvenile & Family Court Administrator for Mecklenburg County’s 26th Judicial District (Charlotte). In 2014, Chinn-Gary was elected as the Clerk of Superior Court and Judge of Probate for Mecklenburg County. With her election, she became the first Black person and the second woman to hold the office. When reflecting on what she has learned from her experiences, challenges, and obstacles she offers, “When I took office, I was an overthinker. Critical thinking is important, but overthinking can paralyze progress. I had to learn when to act decisively, when to listen and gather more information, and when to speak hard truths. I gave myself permission to make a mistake and learn from it. I gave myself grace for not being perfect. It has made me a better judicial leader, court administrator, parent, and person.”

However, Chinn-Gary does not note the burden of overthinking as her greatest challenge, it was finding her voice “I would say one of the greatest challenges that I have faced and overcame was finding my most truthful voice, polishing it with diplomacy, and being able to speak the truth about a justice system that underserves people of color When I see professionals who look like me who are hesitant to speak truth to power, I see who I once was Namely, a person who was afraid of the political and economic repercussions of challenging a system that does not deliver justice for all. Today, I’m able to tell others from an honest place that you’re not helping yourself and you’re not helping others if you can’t speak the truth. In the words of Fantasia, go ahead and free yourself,” she laughed.

So how does one find their voice? “First, let your performance speak for you. Become valuable and invaluable. Excellence matters. Secondly, find allies across gender, across race, across disciplines, across institutions, across all areas of difference. Find allies and do the work of building equity in our systems and institutions together. It is very dangerous to do the work alone. Next, examine the history of this nation critically analyzing the role race has played in influencing law, policy, and court practices. Share your findings with others. Lastly, pull from the wisdom, strength and experience of justice champions that have gone before us. Racism isn’t a new thing. Racial disparity and inequity are not new. I welcome the opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the movement of equal justice,” said Chinn-Gary

Shifting the culture in our legal system to promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion is a practice that ChinnGary implements daily As the elected Clerk, she has convened a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council that works on changing practices within the system to make it more equitable This Council collects and shares data to tell the story of the actualities of the legal system “It’s important to listen and tell people’s story Bryan Stevenson talks about advancing equal justice by changing the narrative. We’ve been able to tell the story of how voting restoration and criminal record expunction benefits communities of color; how court fees and fines are collected for governmental benefit off the backs of the poor; and how programs and services that proport to help, often produce harmful outcomes for people of color. Telling those anecdotal stories and using data to build context, shifts the narrative from fixing people to building a more equitable system of justice,” shares Chinn-Gary.

Clerk Chinn-Gary regularly invites her staff and other court partners to engage in an intensive two-day racial equity training experience. “As gatekeepers of the justice system, it is important to know the history of the courts. Less than 100 years ago, Black and white people were sworn in on different Bibles and seated separately in the courtroom. Judges and jurors were civic roles reserved for white citizens. Today, those racial inequities persist but look different. Harsher sentencing, jury exclusion and criminalizing poverty through imposing excessive fees and fines is the norm. Running for office was not in my original plan but became a way of developing advocacy and defending from inside the halls of justice Engaging people to help and support justice initiatives Being willing and open to new ideas, never let [DEI] drop on the priority list when everything else gets busy, because it will and it does,” she said

In a hypothetical world, if given a magic wand to cast changes and improvements within the legal system, Chinn-Gary states that she would eliminate racism. “Sadly, race continues to be the number one predictor of well-being in this nation,” states Chinn-Gary. “However, I am excited and encouraged with the increase of restorative justice programs, treatment courts, deferred prosecution, de-biasing education and other initiatives that advance community-driven safety and racial equity, “ she continued

For Chinn-Gary, court professionals must have the will to do better, and she believes that for the most part, our legal system is full of professionals who are seeking justice “I believe in many of the principals that our nation was built on We just have not found the way to make it attainable for all. And I also believe that there is incremental progress that’s worth working for. I want the big leap. I want things to change overnight. I want the magic wand to wipe away injustice. And in the interim, I am still going to do all that I can for incremental progress because I see how it builds a future for each generation ”

For almost a decade, Chinn-Gary has served as the Clerk of Superior Court in, arguably, the most litigious judicial district in the state of North Carolina She is the first Black person to hold this position and, is one of less than a handful of Black elected Clerks across the state “It isn’t lost on me that I am the first person of color to hold this position,” she said, “and someone once said to me that when you are the first, your responsibility is not to open the door for others, but to take the door off the hinges. So that not one person can come through, but that you’ve opened the flood gate of opportunity That is exactly what access to justice means So I hope that in my tenure I will not have just opened the door but that I will have found creative ways to ensure that the door never goes back up again.”

Mecklenburg County Courthouse

THE HONORABLE MAHASIN EL AMIN THE HONORABLE MAHASIN EL AMIN

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND

BY: JOCELYN STEELE

The Inspiring Journey of Clerk Mahasin El

The Inspiring Journey of Clerk Mahasin El

Amin: From Marathon Runner to Champion of Amin: From Marathon Runner to Champion of JJustice" ustice"

When you enter The Honorable Mahasin El Amin’s office in the Prince George’s County Courthouse, you cannot ignore the myriad of medals that adorn the walls It’s part of her legacy that many people don’t know, and it all began in 2004 when she was 22 years old “I was talking to a good friend, and he said you need to write your goals down ” Clerk El Amin remembers that one specific goal was at the top of the list. She said, “I decided that I wanted to run the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC.” After she graduated from The University of Baltimore School of Law, Clerk El Amin decided to work towards her goal. She knew she had to start small with a half marathon and work her way up. “I found training plans online, and I would get up at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning and run for hours each week,” Clerk El Amin said. “I remember crossing the finish line, and I told my boyfriend at the time that this was the last race I would do.” Two months later, she had a change of heart. Clerk El Amin stated, “I felt like something was missing, and I realized I was missing the regimen of my running routine, and I decided to sign up for another half marathon in Philadelphia ” From there, she went full force and reached her goal of eventually completing the Marine Corp Marathon

This is just one of the accomplishments that makes Clerk El Amin stand out among Circuit Court Clerks in Maryland. In total, she has run 16 marathons, and she even ran and hiked the Grand Canyon. The same tenacity and commitment she embraced to become a seasoned marathon runner also serves her well as Clerk of the Circuit Court in Prince George’s County, Maryland. “I really like helping people, and as an attorney, I understand the law, and I am able to help other people understand how to navigate the judicial system,” Clerk El Amin stated. Like Cinderella’s glass slipper, the role of Clerk seems to be a perfect fit for Clerk El Amin However, she is the first to admit that she did not visualize this path during her early years as a young student “My dad would pick me up from grade school, and he always said I would go into politics,” she said Clerk El Amin always had the same response for her father “I would say no, I am going to go into performing arts, which I had done my entire life.” Her father, a retired Prince George’s footsteps. and the only time t at the Universit attorney.

During la hat time, she was fr st black U.S. Atto s sitting behind th ned during hi

Clerk El Amin learned even more about the political process and campaign operations while working on a former Prince George’s County Councilman’s campaign. In November 2018, Clerk El Amin was elected as the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. Her focus has always been providing excellent customer service. “When I ran, at that time, the service provided by the Clerk’s Office was not the best with files getting lost ” Clerk El Amin said, “I love the courthouse, and I grew up at the courthouse as a law clerk and eventually as an attorney ” “I love people, and I understand customer service, so there was an opportunity where I saw a need,” she added. “I love my county, and in my capacity, I make sure the public is given the respect and dignity they deserve.”

As Clerk of the Circuit Court, El Amin leads 200 employees who make up the administrative arm of the court. They ensure that all records (court filings, land records, property deeds, etc.) that come through the Circuit Court are timely processed. Clerk El Amin and her Deputy Clerk also administer the Oath of Office to people appointed by the Prince George’s County Executive and Maryland Governor

Clerk El Amin was reelected to her second term in November 2022. In her office, she leads by example and does not hesitate to share feedback “I make sure I give my staff their flowers, and I let them and the public know that I would not be where I am right now and this office would not succeed if it were not for my staff,” said Clerk El Amin She also values honesty and communication within her office and while working with other agencies and officials. “In all honesty, we have to work collectively and that comes through communication and having those hard and uncomfortable conversations and being open to receive that,” said Clerk El Amin

The majority of the employees in the Clerk’s Office are female. Therefore, Clerk El Amin focuses on inclusion when it comes to male staff. “I make it a point to reach out to the males in my office and encourage them,” she said. “I let the ones with potential know that they could one day be in my shoes, and I also encourage them to apply for new positions and promotions. Similarly, Clerk El Amin focuses on cultural diversity in the County with its large Spanishspeaking population and growing African communities. “When I get people’s resumes, I look to see if they speak other languages,” said Clerk El Amin “We want to ensure that my staff can serve all of the citizens that come to courthouse for assistance and that includes employing people who are bilingual ”

While she has succeeded and accomplished many goals, Clerk El Amin will never stray away from vulnerability and sharing her past challenges Clerk El Amin stated, “I was conditionally accepted to law school and college, and I had to go in the summer and take some remedial classes and show them that I could excel.” In fact, she exceled beyond measure. She graduated from college and law school and passed two Bar Examinations. “All I needed was an opportunity to get my foot in the door, and then, you make the best of it,” said Clerk El Amin. “You always have to show up 110% If I don’t try, then, I have a reason to say why I wasn’t successful ” She went on to say, “But, if I give 110%, I can say at least, I tried.”

Being a part of the judicial system is an honor to Clerk El Amin In fact, if there’s one thing she could change about the current state of things, it would be to make court officials more relatable to the average person “Because society has put this hierarchy in place and there is this prestige with being an elected official, it does not mean that I am not a normal person, and I can’t treat you with dignity,” said Clerk El Amin. She takes pride in servant leadership.

“My paycheck comes from the taxpayers, and the things that my office does actually have consequences and affect people’s lives.” “If my staff is late processing a child support case, that could be money that someone is not going to get,” said Clerk El Amin. “So, I just think we, sometimes, forget that we are people just like the people we are serving,” added Clerk El Amin

Serving and educating is what she looks forward to continuing to do in her second term. “I think you have to be engaged and involved outside of the courthouse,” said Clerk El Amin. “The more people know about what we do, the more they have a level of respect and preconceived notions can be addressed ” Clerk El Amin added, “As Clerk and an elected official in the judicial system, I am able to go out in the public and educate. Clerk El Amin stated, “We have a duty to listen and take other opinions into consideration and try to make things better because our decisions have ramifications for people’s lives.”

Still an avid runner, Clerk El Amin’s commitment to her profession remains unshakeable. Afterall, she’s living the life her father knew she would run towards long before she laced up for her first marathon. It’s called destiny.

You can read The Honorable Mahasin El Amin’s bio by scaning the QR Code:

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COURTHOUSE

NACP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES NACP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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We are seeking volunteers to fill leadership roles in the following areas:

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF POLICY & RESEARCH

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The incumbent will be responsible for leading the policy and research arm of the organization, including serving as chairperson of the Policy & Research Committee. Major duties include serving as project manager, conducting mission critical research, and developing data-driven and actionable policy and advocacy recommendations.

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