RALEIGH, NC –The North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP mourns the passing of Joseph Alfred McNeil, a proud son of Wilmington, NC, and a fearless champion of justice. Born in 1942, McNeil grew up in the segregated South and carried with him a deep sense of dignity, discipline, and responsibility instilled by his family and community. Those values would later shape his historic role in sparking one of the most transformative movements for freedom in our nation’s history.
McNeil pursued his higher education at North Carolina A&T State University, where he studied engineering and became an active student leader. It was there, in Greensboro, that he and three fellow classmates Ezell Blair Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan), David Richmond, and Franklin McCain—made the courageous decision to challenge segregation headon. On February 1, 1960, these young men walked into the Woolworth’s lunch counter and demanded to be served, an act of defiance that helped ignite a nationwide sitin movement.
The Greensboro Four’s nonviolent protest galvanized students across the South, leading to sitins in over 55 cities and fundamentally shifting the national conversation around civil rights. McNeil’s courage at just 17 years old reflected both the urgency and the discipline of a generation unwilling to accept injustice any longer. He remained committed to the NAACP’s mission, embodying the courage and conviction that continue to guide our work today.
Beyond his role as a civil rights trailblazer, McNeil went on to serve his country with distinction in the United States Air Force, retiring as a major general in the Air Force Reserve. His leadership extended well beyond Greensboro, as he consistently mentored young activists and reminded us that the fight for equality is not a moment but a lifelong calling.
The NAACP North Carolina State Conference honors Joseph McNeil’s extraordinary life and legacy. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the communities forever changed by his sacrifice. His steadfast leadership at the Woolworth’s lunch counter ignited a movement that transformed our nation’s pursuit of justice and equality. We honor him best by carrying forward the fight against injustice with the same courage, faith, and determination he exemplified.