DRNC is proud to celebrate our accomplished and dedicated leaders!

Congratulations to DRNC’s Legal Director Emma Kinyanjui for being one of six statewide leaders the North Carolina Justice Center recognized on Sept. 22 at its annual Defenders of Justice Awards! 

In accepting the award at the Sept. 22 event honoring the awardees, Emma was characteristically humble, congratulating all the award recipients and noting she accepted the award “on behalf of all of my co-workers over the years and all those champions I have met along the way who have refused to keep silent when witnessing injustice.” She said her desire to fight for people was born in elementary school when she saw fellow classmates being bullied. She was compelled to fight for them then, and her internal fire “to fight beside and protect others” has continued ever since. 

 Emma noted that though so many have worked hard to promote justice and achieve important legal victories, more work must be done. “Y’all, we still have a lot of fighting to do,” she said. “And you don’t have to be the tallest kid, or the smartest kid, and you certainly don’t have to do it alone. I’m proof of that. It just takes a refusal to keep silent and to find our village of fighters and supporters. I’m so blessed and grateful that I have found mine. So let’s keep coming together to support each other (bringing our individual gifts), uplift and encourage each other, and always advocate for equity and inclusion. And, when the bullies don’t listen to reason, we will gather our collective strength to take the fight to them.” 

Join us in celebrating Emma Kinyanjui for her determined leadership and legal advocacy for disabled people! 

Congratulations to DRNC Chief Executive Officer Virginia Knowlton Marcus for being recognized by Triangle Business Journal as one of 2024’s most outstanding CEOs!  

Virginia has served as DRNC’s CEO since 2018 and has brought a wealth of expertise and knowledge to her role. Virginia is an attorney with lived experience who has been advocating for disability rights in multiple states, federally, and internationally for over 25 years. 

Under her leadership and direction, Virginia Knowlton Marcus has successfully expanded DRNC’s legal reach and impact and created a more inclusive, dynamic, and effective organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of people with disabilities across North Carolina.  

Join us in celebrating and thanking Virginia for her tireless dedication to justice and equity! 

Please join DRNC in celebrating Curtis Hill! NC Project Lead recently honored Curtis as an exceptional community leader who has made a lasting positive impact in his community at the 2024 White Lotus Leadership Awards Gala in Wilmington, NC. 

Curtis joined Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) in 2019 to advocate for people with disabilities harmed by Hurricane Florence. He later expanded his focus to helping those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and now is advocating for disabled people in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Based in Columbus County, Curtis leverages his personal connection to the region and extensive nonprofit experience to support underserved communities, while also leading local efforts for equity and social justice through civic engagement, including his current service as president of the Columbus County NAACP. Inspired by his mother’s activism and leadership, Curtis embarked on his career by engaging in community and political work, including fighting for disability rights when he was a student at NC State University, advocating for racial justice, and helping form the nonpartisan Columbus County Forum to encourage civic participation. We are so fortunate at DRNC to have Curtis as a vital member of our team! 

DRNC is proud to be recognized as one of North Carolina’s best women led law firms. North Carolina Lawyers Weekly selected DRNC and features DRNC and other honorees in its September 2024 print edition. “Led by female lawyers with multiple marginalized identities, Disability Rights North Carolina is a leader in highlighting the importance of including women, particularly those with additional disempowered identities (e.g. women of color, women with disabilities, LGBTQ+ women) in meaningful efforts to achieve a just and equitable society through its involvement in the legal field and the broader community.  

By being mindful of the unique challenges that women can face in the legal profession, the firm creates an environment where they can thrive. Beyond managing a higher ratio of women to men, the firm is deeply intentional about creating a pipeline that aids women at all stages of their careers. 

In addition to its recruiting efforts, DRNC strongly emphasizes mentorship and professional development. It offers legal internships to help young professionals grow into confident, capable lawyers, who are prepared to take on leadership roles within disability advocacy and the broader legal community.”