James Solomon Jr., one of the first students to desegregate USC, dies at 94
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The South Carolina community is mourning the loss of one of its civil rights icons.
James L. Solomon Jr., one of three African American students to desegregate University of South Carolina back in 1963, died Friday at the age of 94.
The family of Solomon announced his ing in a post on Facebook:
People visited a monument commemorating his role in desegregation at the McKissick Museum on the Horseshoe on Saturday to leave flowers and commemorate his life and legacy.
The University of South Carolina said in a statement reflecting on Solomon’s death: “His legacy of bravery and service to the community is an enduring inspiration to us all. His role in desegregating the Columbia campus, along with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and Robert G. Anderson, is immortalized on our campus as a testament to his personal courage and an unwavering commitment to justice.”
Bobby Donaldson, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Rights History and Research at USC, says Solomon’s legacy will live on.
“I think when you look at his life, I think it is an inspiration to his children, his family, [and] to countless children around South Carolina,” Donaldson said.
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An inspiring influence, Solomon enrolled in the university’s graduate program, becoming the first Black graduate student in the mathematics department.
“James Solomon, Henrie Monteith, and Robert Anderson opened the doors of our university in historic ways,” Donaldson said. “I think one of the lasting tributes or testimonies to Jim Solomon is that he opened doors, he built bridges, he laid the foundation for generations of students on this campus, and made the University of South Carolina a dramatically different institution.”
Donaldson said Solomon was a humble man whose legacy fighting against racial discrimination stretches across the country.
Solomon was also the first Black man to hold office in Sumter County since Reconstruction after being on the school board.
He later served on the Richland County Council and Richland School District One’s board. Solomon was also the South Carolina State Agency Director, and also commissioner of the Department of Social Services.
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“James Solomon left an... imprint in the state of South Carolina,” Donaldson continued. Beyond integrating our university, he helped to improve public education, he helped to improve the department of social services, He was at all times a servant leader.”
Solomon’s family announced his ing, and expressed thanks for the thoughts and prayers during this time.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia.. We’ll have more on that once we have additional details on our website at WIS TV dot com.
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