Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following announcement on Dec. 16.
Superlatives can be hard to live up to, but Dena J. King has exceeded her wildest dreams. She was voted most likely to succeed in 1999 when she attended South Mecklenburg High. Today, King is the newly confirmed U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina and the first person of color to hold that position.
"Being the first is great, but I did not get here on my own," said King during an investiture ceremony on Dec. 15 at South Meck. "Being here truly gives me a homecoming feeling. South Meck is where I played flute in band, was part of the homecoming court and recited the poem "What If I am a Black Woman?" as part of my exit project."
King spoke of her favorite high school teacher, Mrs. Dukes, whose love for quality work made her a better student. Dukes also became King's senior exit project mentor.
"I am proud to have received a great quality public education," said King.
King's brother and father died while she was in high school. These losses were heartbreaking but also developed her inner drive to succeed. She wanted to honor their legacy and make her mother proud.
"Many young people come from homes that aren't a two-parent home. My father died unexpectedly, so I grew up in a single-parent home," said King. "It wasn't what my mother chose. However, hard work, dedication and perseverance pulled me through. To those young people living in single-parent homes, I want them to know they can achieve their dreams."
Speakers from the event noted King's commitment to public service in and out of the courtroom and her passion for equal justice under the law. Although King did not have role models who looked like her, she found her inspiration through a character in The Cosby Show.
"I remember asking Dena who influenced her, and without hesitation, she responded Clair Huxtable," said Phyliss Craig-Taylor, professor of law and former dean of North Carolina Central University School of Law. "She wanted to be like her - a wife, a mother and a strong woman with a career in law. She has far exceeded the TV character because Clair never got an appointment like this one. Dena King is 100 percent real."
King reflected on her journey, which included the support of her family, friends, colleagues and her community.
"I see that this was not a happenstance, coincidence or luck," she said. As I look back on my personal and professional career, I look at the open doors and the closed doors, the compliments and criticisms, the good days and the bad days. I see that all of them prepared me for a time such as this. I am grateful."
Original source can be found here.
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