Honoring Judge Harold R. Boulware Sr.: Irmo Unveils Historic Marker to Civil Rights Giant
- CUBNSC
- 48 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC | September 16, 2025
Irmo, SC - At the edge of the Broad River District, in the heart of Irmo, South Carolina, a crowd gathered this morning for a moment both beautiful and deeply emotional: the dedication of a historical marker honoring The Honorable Judge Harold R. Boulware Sr. The event, hosted by the African American Historical Society of Irmo and the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, marked a long-awaited recognition of a man whose work transformed not only the Midlands, but the nation.
Harold Boulware: A Warrior for Justice
Born in Irmo in 1913, Judge Boulware rose from humble beginnings to become Chief Counsel for the South Carolina NAACP. His legal brilliance helped shape Briggs v. Elliott, the Clarendon County school desegregation case that became part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. That ruling forever changed America’s educational and legal landscape, dismantling the false doctrine of “separate but equal.”
Later appointed as the first African American Associate Judge of the Columbia Municipal Court, Boulware earned widespread respect for his fairness, patience, and unwavering commitment to justice. “The word gentleman comes from combining two words—gentle and man,” reflected attorney Jake Moore, Sr. “Harold Boulware knew that true strength doesn’t come from aggression, but from decency and morality."
Welcomes, Prayers, and Songs of Freedom
The ceremony opened with Irmo native Elder Princetta Pollock White offering a heartfelt welcome: “Today we gather not simply to witness the unveiling of a marker, but to mark time itself… Judge Harold R. Boulware Sr. was more than a brilliant legal mind. He was a bridge, a warrior for justice, a man who knew the weight of history and still chose to carry the torch” .
Rev. Dr. Richard R. Dozier, Judge Boulware’s pastor from 1968 until his passing in 1983, led a moving prayer, recalling his courage in difficult times and invoking the call to “stand for justice when others sit down” . The audience rose together in song, lifting their voices to the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Community Reflections
Several reflections revealed the breadth of Judge Boulware’s influence—professional, personal, and generational. Civil rights activist James L. Felder described him as both mentor and fraternity brother, recalling his generosity in providing office space for the voter education project in Columbia.
Gail Morales, a neighbor, recounted growing up calling Judge and Mrs. Boulware “Daddy Bo and Mama Bo,” and shared the extraordinary story of how he traveled hidden in the trunk of cars to safely meet with clients in Clarendon County during the dangerous years of segregation.
Joseph A. DeLaine Jr., son of Briggs v. Elliott plaintiff Rev. Joseph DeLaine, underscored the centrality of South Carolina—and of Boulware in particular—in launching the case that would ultimately topple segregation.
“Most people think this is a Kansas case. That’s not true. It was fought here in this state, for this state."
Family voices added a personal layer to the history. John Chism, Judge Boulware’s grandson, told of family traditions and lessons in love, including a fond memory of lifting plates at breakfast to find $100 bills hidden beneath. “His contributions to his family were as significant as his contributions to the public,” Chism said.
A Letter from Washington
Congressman James E. Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American member of Congress, offered formal greetings in a letter read aloud: “Judge Boulware was a warrior for justice, civil rights, and fairness… Today’s historical marker dedication places a deserved spotlight on a giant of a man who has had an immeasurable impact on our country” .
The Academic and Historical Context
Dr. Edwin Breeden of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History described the marker as part of a broader effort to highlight the state’s role in the civil rights movement. Dr. Bobby J. Donaldson, director of the University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research, delivered the keynote. He situated Boulware’s work in the tradition of Charles Hamilton Houston’s “social engineers,” lawyers trained not only to defend clients but to transform society.
“There would be no civil rights movement in this state without Harold R. Boulware,” Dr. Donaldson declared. “Today we unveil more than a marker. We unveil a textbook on Lake Murray Boulevard."
Recognizing Legacy and Labor
The program concluded with closing remarks from the African American Historical Society of Irmo, acknowledging the long labor of community members who made the day possible.
Among those recognized was Ms. Oveta Glover, a descendant of Reverend A.R. Wright, the first president of the South Carolina NAACP—a reminder of the interconnected legacies of struggle and leadership.
A Marker for the Future
As the marker cloth was finally lifted, applause broke out for the man it honors: a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and community member who became one of the most consequential civil rights attorneys in South Carolina’s history.
Judge Harold R. Boulware Sr. may have never sought recognition, but today his hometown of Irmo, perched along the Broad River, gave it to him in full measure. His marker now stands as a permanent testament to courage, decency, and the power of law to bend the arc of history toward justice.
