Judge Teresa Vincent and Jim Slaughter Receive Centennial Award

Judge Teresa Vincent and Jim Slaughter Receive Centennial Award

The Centennial award for outstanding and exemplary community service was presented to Judge Teresa Vincent and Jim Slaughter at the General Membership meeting of the GBA on March 19th, 2026.

Judge Vincent’s career has been defined by service and a steadfast commitment to fairness. She started her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney and was elected as a District Court Judge in 2000. In a judicial career spanning more than two decades, she handled a wide variety of district court matters. She was known for her calm presence, careful preparation, and respect for the people in the courtroom.

In 2019, Judge Vincent made history when she was selected to become the first African-American woman to serve as Chief District Court Judge of Guilford County. From this position, she widened access to justice, strengthened trust in our county, and made the courts a better place for the community we serve.

One of the most impactful roles that Judge Vincent played during her time on the bench was overseeing the Drug Treatment Court. This program helps people get through major drug addiction issues and rehabilitates them. Judge Vincent made a significant impact in the community through her service by implementing practical innovations such as helping people obtain transportation to be able to get to court to participate.

In addition to her work on the bench, she served in leadership roles within the Greensboro Bar Association including a term as President. She helped mentor new lawyers and judges. Through this leadership and mentorship, she set a standard of professionalism for the entire bar.

Were these the extent of her accomplishments, it still would have constituted an incredible career. However, Judge Vincent extended her influence into the greater community with countless hours of dedicated service with various organizations. She has served as a Family Services of the Piedmont Presenter, President of the North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, Guilford Inns of Court, Jack & Jill of America, Junior League of Greensboro, North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission, North Carolina State Bar Specialization Board, Elon Law School Externship Program Mentor, North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, Women’s Resource Center Board, Women’s Professional Forum, Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers, Greensboro History Museum Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., President of the Greensboro Chapter of The Links, and the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners, among other organizations. We congratulate this impactful, generational leader on the receipt of an award which recognizes her great contributions to our community and our profession.

Jim Slaughter grew up in Kannapolis, NC. There, he participated in Boy Scouts and achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle. With a lifelong love of history, law and public service, he did his Eagle Scout Project on the history of Public Schools in Cabarrus County. He still serves as an assistant scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop where his three sons all achieved the rank of Eagle.

Later, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, while serving as the Head of the UNC Student legislature, he met the love of his life and later wife, Tamara. She was the head of the UNC Greensboro student legislature when they met. It was love at first parliamentary vote.

After his education at UNC, he has used his love of law, history, and parliamentary politics to volunteer and serve his community. Serving as an Elder and Clerk of Session at the First Presbyterian Church here in Greensboro, Chair of the NC Democratic Party Council of Review, Chair of Ethics of the American Institute of Parliamentarians and later President of the same, Chair of the NC Youth Advisory Council, and Co-Chair on the National Conference for Community Justice annual fundraiser. Further, he volunteered his expertise on numerous state commissions including the Governor’s Crime Commission, and served with the N.C Progress Board, Greensboro Historical Museum Board, Crescent Rotary Club, and National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ).

A life of service mixed with a love of history, law, and politics culminated in a wonderful career that influenced and changed our community for the better. The GBA was pleased to present the Centennial Award to Jim Slaughter.