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Charlotte high school officially renamed in honor of iconic civil rights attorney

CHARLOTTE — When some Charlotte students return to school in the fall, their high school will have a new name, new graduation gowns, athletic uniforms and t-shirts.

The school previously known as Zebulon B. Vance High School has officially been renamed Julius L. Chambers High School.

Chambers founded the first integrated law firm in Charlotte and most notably won the supreme court case Swan vs. Mecklenburg which helped integrate schools.

The CMS board voted unanimously last year to change the school’s name. Vance was controversial because he was a Confederate military captain during the Civil War and owned slaves.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Channel 9′s Gina Esposito speaks with Chambers’ son about how he’s working with the school to bring his father’s legacy to the forefront.

(WATCH: CMS leaders rename Vance High School in honor of civil rights attorney Julius L. Chambers)