091-24 RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE LATE DAVID MOZART DANSBY, JR.
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2024, the community lost an outstanding community member with the passing of the late David Mozart Dansby, Jr.;
WHEREAS, native to Greensboro, Mr. Dansby was born July 1, 1939; took to Social Activism; was intricate in the integration of the Greensboro Public Library; and coined the phrase “passion fuel”;
WHEREAS, Mr. Dansby graduated from Dudley High School in 1957; from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science; became the First African-American to receive an undergraduate degree from the University; in 1961 Dansby enrolled in UNC-CH’s School of Law; received a law degree and was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1964; therefore, he became the First African-American to receive two degrees from the institution;
WHEREAS, while a student at UNC-CH he led efforts to desegregate the campus; joined picket-lines to protest segregated restaurants and movie theaters in Chapel Hill and Durham; participated in efforts to create the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at Shaw University in Raleigh; supported action to desegregate NC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill; and was a Charter Member of the UNC-CH chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he served a term as President;
WHEREAS, during his senior year in Law School, Mr. Dansby was arrested for trespassing in a restaurant that did not serve blacks; persevered while being repeatedly threatened for his activism, until restaurants, theaters and other businesses began accepting African-American customers;
WHEREAS, in the summer of 1963, Mr. Dansby served as Assistant Director of the Voter Education- Voter Registration Project in Nashville, TN;
WHEREAS, he was instrumental in advocating for African Americans to be hired in the Public Defender's Office in Guilford County; participated in the defense of the "Wilmington 10" activist, Ben Chavis; and assisted the Greensboro Public Schools Cafeteria Workers strike;
WHEREAS, he served two terms as President of the Greensboro Branch of the NAACP; worked to reduce police misconduct; and campaigned for a library in a predominately African- American area of Greensboro;
WHEREAS, Mr. Dansby received an Unsung Hero Award from the International Civil Rights Center and Museum; was featured in the Civil Rights Documentary "Majority of One"; and in UNC Greensboro's Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement;
WHEREAS, Mr. Dansby was the recipient of numerous awards, including the UNC Black Pioneers & UNC Black Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, The Greensboro Branch NAACP George C. Simkins & John B. Erwin Award, The Burlington County Branch NAACP Volunteer Attorney Award, The Khalif Temple: Shriner of the Month; was inducted into the James B. Dudley High School Educational and Sports Hall of Fame & Distinction; and received the Dudley Alumni Association, Inc. Humanitarian Award;
WHEREAS, Mr. Dansby enjoyed sharing his love, time and wisdom with his family; they inspired his hope in "Better" for future generations;
WHEREAS, he will be remembered for his selfless commitment to fair and equitable justice; for being a trailblazer in the Civil Rights Movement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO:
- That the City Council wishes to express its sense of loss; and offer condolences, sincere appreciation, and gratitude for the years of dedication to community service by David Mozart Dansby, Jr. The legacy he leaves will be remembered by the residents of Greensboro and nationally for his activism.
- That a copy of this resolution shall be delivered to the family of the late David Mozart Dansby, Jr. as a symbol of the gratitude of the residents of the City of Greensboro for his contributions in the community and across the country.
(Signed) Goldie Wells