Memorial

Charles Edward Daye was born on May 14, 1944, and transitioned on December 25, 2022.

A Durham native, Professor Daye graduated in 1962 from the former Merrick Moore High School with honors, and from North Carolina College (North Carolina Central University) in 1966 with a degree in Political Science magna cum laude. Immediately after this graduation, Daye entered the Columbia Law School (Columbia University) where he graduated cum laude in 1969. After Law School, he was selected as law clerk for the Honorable Harry Phillips, chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and was one of the first African Americans to attain this position. Following this tenure, he was one of the first African Americans to join the prestigious law firm of Covington and Burling in Washington D.C.

In 1972, Professor Daye joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill where he became the first African American to obtain tenure. This tenure was interrupted in 1981 when he was appointed as the Dean of the NCCU School of Law where he served until 1985. Professor Daye served with distinction as the Henry Brandis Professor of Law at UNC until his retirement in 2014, and was honored with the designation as an emeritus professor. In addition to his classroom work at UNC, he served as a founding member and associate director of the Center for Civil Rights. In 1999, Professor Daye was honored with the Doctor of Law Degree from Suffolk University.

Professor Daye was a member of a host of community, professional and legal education organizations, and was a leader in efforts to advance the causes of racial equality, diversity and academic excellence. Among those activities were being elected or appointed as president of the American

Bar Association’s Law School Admission Council, and the president of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers where he served in that position from 1976-78, and became the longest serving executive secretary from 1979-1999. In a very real sense, Professor Daye was a door opener for hundreds of students to enter the legal profession, and was especially devoted to the cause of opening the doors of society and the legal profession for African Americans and students of color at UNC and NCCU. He played a major role in efforts by lawyers to attack the evils of segregation and racial bias in politics, housing, employment and legal education. He was an author, poet, legal researcher and advisor to attorneys and legal organizations within North Carolina and around the country.

Eleanette Maccene Brown Lyerly was born October 3, 1951, to her loving parents, the late Matthew Brown and Eleanor Mumford Brown in Durham, North Carolina. She transitioned from this life on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Maccene was a caring daughter, aunt, sister, cousin and wife.

An avid student, Maccene attended Miss Hall’s all girls boarding school of Massachusetts before graduating from Mount Holyoke College. She would go on to move back home to Durham, N.C. and become a teacher at Hillandale Elementary school. Maccene taught until she decided to return to school in 1979. She attended NCCU School of Law where she received her law degree in 1982. Maccene worked for over 20 years with Legal Aid of North Carolina, serving as an attorney and supervising attorney at Legal Aid offices in Wilson, Pittsboro and Durham.

Maccene had a deep love for her community and passion for helping people. She was a daughter of the West Durham Baptist Church. Maccene was an active participant of many charitable organizations, and believed in community service. She ran a private practice for many years, providing pro bono services to many in need. She is predeceased by her brothers Walter Brown, William Brown, Thelbert (Jackie) Brown and sister Delphine Brown Powell.

Bert Collins Sr. was born in Austin, Texas on November 9, 1943, to the late James Kirk Collins and Aldonia Edmondson Collins. He transitioned this earthly life on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

Bert was educated in the public schools of Austin, Texas and received his Bachelor of Science degree from HustonTillotson College, Austin, Texas; Master of Business degree from the University of Detroit, Detroit, Mich., and Juris Doctorate degree from the NCCU School of Law in Durham, N.C. Bert was a certified public accountant and licensed attorney. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and the National Association of Guardsmen. He joined North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1970 serving in various positions, and rising to the level of president and chief executive officer, and retiring as chairman of the board of directors. He served on numerous corporate, civic, fraternal and governmental boards including serving on the NCCU Board of Trustees, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, UDI, AAA of the Carolinas, Durham Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, UNC Board of Governors and Durham Technical Community College. He also served as an associate professor at NCCU in 1974.

Lowell Lesesne Siler was born on July 14, 1954, in Goldsboro, N.C., to the late William Perry (Ruby A.) Siler and the late Gloria Lesesne Siler. He transitioned on September 6, 2022.

Attorney Siler became Durham’s first African American county attorney. In this distinguished position, he advised the county commissioners, county manager, and department heads on legal matters that relate to the operation of county government. He earned his law degree from NCCU School of Law in 1979.

Attorney Siler began his career with Durham County in 1987, when he was hired as an assistant county attorney. In 1990, he was promoted to deputy county attorney. The Durham Board of Commissioners appointed him as Durham County attorney in 1990, making him the county’s first African American named to that position. For nearly 35 years, he served with integrity and distinction as the chief legal advisor to the Board of County commissioners, county manager and departments. He retired April 30, 2022.

The Honorable Sammie Chess Jr. Sammie Chess Jr., was the son of the late Sammie Chess Sr., and the late Susanna Hagood Chess. On March 28, 1934, he was born in the Bull Pond community of Allendale County, South Carolina. He transitioned peacefully on July 23, 2022.

Until age 9, Chess and his family lived on the farm where he was born, and at age 12, Sammie Sr., migrated the family to Harlem, N.Y. It would be later in his adolescence that Chess and his family moved to High Point, N.C., where the stewardship and educator’s love of Mr. Samuel E. Burford would set the course for Chess’ life of service to mankind. These were Chess’ formative years at his dear William Penn High School, and at a time in our history where public schools were segregated; yet, educators such as Mr. Burford and others saw the promise in their young students in these ‘separate by unequal’ schools. Chess often spoke of how Mr. Burford saved his life.

Mr. Burford and educators of the segregated William Penn High School saw to it that Chess enrolled in North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University). There, he would excel and enter The College’s School of Law his junior year, completing both undergraduate and law school in six years. After passing the North Carolina Bar exam, Chess served two years in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Korea.

Upon completing his service in the Army, in 1960, Chess hung his shingle to practice law in the city of High Point. He immediately engaged in the Civil Rights Movement, taking on cases in High Point and across the state. Chess’ focus was ending discrimination and segregation. He fought tirelessly. For the next decade, he would argue (and win) cases that would lead to desegregation of the High Point Public Schools system, public hospitals, theatres, restaurants and other institutions and facilities intended “for the People.”

Chess was often called upon by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to help “fight the good fight,” and join legal teams who would argue landmark cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. One such case was Griggs v. Duke Power, a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on March 8, 1971, established the legal precedent for so-called “disparateimpact” lawsuits involving instances of racial discrimination.

In 1971, Chess became the first Black Superior Court judge in the state of North Carolina. Governor Robert W. Scott appointed Chess as a special Superior Court judge, empowering him with the ability to hold court state-wide, thus ensuring justice in civil and criminal trials and hearings. In this capacity, Chess changed many practices commonly accepted during this time, such as judges and prosecuting officials referring to Black witnesses by their first name, while referring to

White persons as Mr. or Mrs. Judge Chess made it clear that there would be no unequal treatment in his court. Judge Chess afforded all who appeared before him an equal, fair and impartial trial regardless of color or station in life. Judge Chess returned to his law practice in 1975 where he served faithfully until 1991, when he was appointed Administrative Law Judge in the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. He retired in 2007, thus concluding nearly a 50-year career serving the people of North Carolina and the United States.

During the next 15 years, Chess continued to be of service. He found purpose in the High Point Bar Association, his church and with his beloved brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He always found time to encourage young lawyers to be the best - to always be prepared, to persevere and pursue excellence.

The recognition of Judge Chess’ service to others is farreaching. Respected by his colleagues and community was overwhelmingly humbling to Chess. His purpose and conviction led him to believe he was doing God’s work. The acceptance he sought was from his Creator; and to one day hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” was the only acknowledgment for which Chess lived his life.

Pamela Lucille Stanback Glean transitioned on January 20, 2023. She was born on December 14, 1956, to the late Albert Leon Stanback Sr., and Catherine Caldwell Stanback. She graduated from Hillside High School in 1974. Stanback Glean attended Duke University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. After college, Stanback Glean attended NCCU School of Law where she earned a Juris Doctorate in 1980. Shortly thereafter she and her cousin Barry S. Stanback joined her brother A. Leon Stanback Jr., and formed a successful private law firm in Greensboro, Stanback and Stanback.

On April 28, 1990, Pamela married the love of her life, Luis Alberto Glean in Durham, N.C. During their loving and passionate union, two wonderful children, Luis Alberto Glean II, and Ercilla Gabriella Glean were born.

A champion of justice and advocate for abused and neglected children and their families, Pamela served as Durham’s assistant county attorney, helped build and establish The Center for Child and Family Health. In 1997, she built one of the top law clinics in the nation at her beloved alma mater, NCCU School of Law. Over her more than 20- year tenure, Pamela served faithfully as the director of clinical legal education, assistant dean of clinical and professional skills, and ultimately retired as the associate dean of academic affairs. Pamela won numerous grants, and led countless innovative initiatives to broaden access, engagement and collaboration to legal education throughout the state and nation.

Pamela was honored with awards for her service throughout her career including, the North Carolina Bar Association’s Student Pro Bono Award, George White Bar Association’s Service and Leadership Award, The Center for Child and Family Health Outstanding Service Award and North Carolina Central University’s Virtual Justice Trailblazer Award. Pamela served on numerous boards as well, including: The Durham County Board of Social Service, Planned Parenthood of NC, the NC Legal Education Fund and the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers. She was a member of the Durham Chapter of Smart Set.

Keshawna Alderman (2L) A native of Harlem, New York, Keshawna was pursing her juris doctorate degree and Law and Technology Certificate, with interests in entertainment law, trademarks and intellectual property. She was especially passionate about advocating and creating spaces in the legal field for people of color. An active participant on campus and in her local community, Keshawna was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Black Law Student Association and the Intellectual Property Law Society.

Inspired in 2020, the Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI) addresses systemic racism and other forms of inequality through interdisciplinary problem solving that researches the legacy of racial injustice and advances a just and prosperous society for all people.

Pictured are highlights from the launch gala held on April 15, 2023, at the NCCU Student Center. NCCU Law Professor Irving L. Joyner delivered the keynote address.