Lessons in Generosity and Grace

NCAJ Is Built on the Gifts of Generations  

The North Carolina Advocates for Justice is built on a foundation laid by people who understood that leadership is not about position, but about service. Over the years, our organization has been shaped and strengthened by those who gave freely of their time, their wisdom, and their hearts. 

In the past year, we lost three such leaders: past presidents James B. “Jim” Maxwell (president, 1987),  James E. “Fergie” Ferguson II (president, 2000 – 2001), and Janet Ward Black (president, 2002-2003),  Each left behind a remarkable legacy. Each believed deeply in this organization and in the work we do. Each reminds us that NCAJ is, at its core, an association built on giving. 

While we honor all three, this moment calls for special reflection on Janet Ward Black—because her generosity continues to guide us forward. 

Janet Ward did not simply lead NCAJ. She loved it. She believed in it. And she invested in it—not only with her leadership and mentorship, but most recently through a $50,000 bequest that reflects the values by which she lived her life. That gift, like everything Janet Ward did, was intentional, purposeful, and rooted in a belief that we are called to be, in her words, “radically generous.” 

Janet Ward’s personal and professional mission was simple and profound: Seek justice, give generously, and love lavishly. Those words were not aspirational. They were operational. They showed up in how she lived her life, how she practiced law, and how she treated people. 

Janet Ward sought justice with discipline and courage. She believed preparation was a form of respect—for the law, for the client, and for the truth. She listened more than she spoke. She led without ego. She commanded respect by giving it freely, even to those with whom she disagreed. Justice, to Janet Ward, was never abstract. It was personal. 

But it was her generosity that defined her most indelibly. 

Janet Ward often said, “We need to be radically generous.” And she lived that belief every day. She understood that generosity is not limited to financial gifts—though she gave those freely—but also includes showing up, noticing people, remembering milestones, offering encouragement, and creating moments of joy that reminded others they mattered. 

Helping Others Flourish 

Rebecca “Becky” Britton, a past president of NCAJ, recalls how Janet Ward’s generosity showed up in the most personal of ways. When Becky opened her own firm in 2010—an act she credits in no small part to Janet Ward’s influence—a box arrived at the office. Inside was a pink feather boa, a silver plastic jeweled tiara, and a note that read simply: “Congratulations Queen B!” 

That was Janet Ward. Thoughtful. Playful. Intentional. She celebrated the courage of others, often in ways that were unforgettable. As Becky reflected, Janet Ward’s encouragement mattered not just because it came from someone she loved, but because Janet Ward herself was a force of nature. And while there may now be an empty seat at many tables, it is easy to imagine Janet Ward already at work—hatching ideas, making plans, and continuing her mission of service from heaven. 

Janet Ward’s generosity often worked quietly, behind the scenes. Afi Johnson-Parris, a former Ward Black Law attorney, captured this perfectly when she wrote, “She was always my champion. I know she lifted my name in rooms I wasn’t in and opened doors before I even knew they existed.” Janet Ward had a gift for seeing potential early—and using her influence to help others flourish. 

Mark Sumwalt, whom Janet Ward selected to succeed her as President of NCAJ, remembers her rare ability to lift others up. “She believed in others, including me, long before we truly believed in ourselves,” he said. “She plucked me from nowhere and literally led me into the role.  She really did see something in me that I did not see in myself.  Through her quiet, humble and unassuming way, she made a profound difference in this organization, my life, and the lives of others both inside and outside of this state.  She is truly a special force.” 

It is no surprise that so many referred to Janet Ward as a “unicorn.” She truly was rare. Like a unicorn, she brought light and wonder wherever she went. Her presence was magical—not because it was loud, but because it was genuine. People felt seen around her. Valued. Encouraged to be better. 

That spirit did not end with her passing. 

Living the Legacy 

Audrey and Gabe Snyder, who were mentored by Janet Ward during their work alongside her for the last nine years, have now purchased Ward Black Law following her passing. In doing so, they committed not just to carrying forward a practice, but to preserving the culture shaped by Janet Ward’s values. 

In her honor, Audrey and Gabe have already given $10,000 to NCAJ, continuing the spirit of giving Janet Ward modeled so faithfully. Audrey recalls one of the earliest lessons Janet Ward impressed upon her: “Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.” It is a simple lesson—but one that reflects Janet Ward’s deep sense of accountability to her clients, her team, and her community. 

Gabe reflected on the broader call Janet Ward placed on those who practiced alongside her: “Janet Ward taught us that a lawyer’s duty extends far beyond the courthouse steps. She challenged us to use our work to serve people, strengthen our community, and do what is right.” He added that it is never enough to call Janet Ward a great lawyer without first acknowledging her heart for others. 

Together, these gifts reflect a shared commitment to preserving a culture of generosity, service, and leadership that Janet Ward so faithfully embodied. 

This is how legacy works. It is not frozen in time. It moves forward through people who choose to live the values they were taught. 

Janet Ward’s generosity extended far beyond the legal profession. She supported young women launching businesses, particularly through her work with International Cooperating Ministries (ICM). She invested deeply in mentorship, including with NCAJ’s NEXT Program. She gave the gifts of time, friendship, and compassion as freely as she gave her resources. And those gifts resonate just as deeply as any financial contribution. 

As we reflect on Janet Ward’s life, we also pause to honor James “Fergie” Ferguson and James “Jim” Maxwell—leaders who likewise gave their time, talents, and hearts to NCAJ. Their passing in the same year is a sobering reminder that our organization is shaped by generations of lawyers who believed in something larger than themselves. Together, they built a culture where service matters, mentorship is expected, and generosity is foundational. 

This culture will live on and move forward at NCAJ, where we remain committed to continue investing in the future of our members and their clients, and the people of our state.   

We do not move forward alone. We move forward standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. 

As president of NCAJ, I am profoundly aware that my leadership—and the leadership of those who will come after me—is guided by the examples set by Janet Ward Black, Fergie Ferguson, Jim Maxwell, and so many others. 

Their legacy calls us not just to remember, but to act. 

To seek justice boldly. 
To give generously. 
And to love lavishly. 

Janet Ward showed us how. She was a bright light in this world, bringing with her poise, grace, and hope wherever she went. She was a wonderful lawyer, but she was so much more than that, and I know I am only one of many who was inspired by the way she led with grace and integrity; by the way she commanded respect by being respectful, thoughtful, and wise; and by the way she generously and selflessly gave back to her communities- sharing her time, her talents, and her love with so many in all facets of her life.  I will be eternally grateful for her support, encouragement, and friendship over the years.