Building social capital and relationships in the community
were key platforms in Yvonne Johnson's successful
campaign to become Greensboro mayor last fall. During a visit
with second-year students at Elon University School of Law
Friday, Jan. 18, Johnson asked for their help in making
Greensboro a better place to live and work.
"In this room, we have some very in-depth
thinkers and smart folks," said Johnson, who became the
first African-American and second woman elected mayor of
Greensboro by winning 57 percent of the vote in the November
election. "There are 87 different ethnic groups in
Greensboro. We have a great opportunity to bring these 87
groups into the heartbeat of Greensboro." Johnson asked
students to consider the formation of a think tank to
generate ideas that will give a voice to those groups.
Johnson also told students they can serve the community in a
variety of other ways. Their legal knowledge can help the
city update ordinances and codes that have been on the books
for years, Johnson said, and she offered students the chance
to intern with the city's legal department. Various
boards, commissions and non-profit organizations in
Greensboro can also benefit from the expertise lawyers and
law students bring to the table. "If you are so moved to
want to mentor an undergraduate or other students, there are
those who need you," Johnson said.
Johnson offered opening remarks on the final day of
Leadership and Public Law, an intensive, two-week Winter Term
course required of all 2L students. In collaborative work
groups, students partnered with a variety of community
clients, such as Action Greensboro, Self Help Credit Union
and Guilford Child Development, to examine and research a
particular issue. On Friday, the groups presented their
findings to the clients and the class, offering solutions
that will help each organization with annual and long-term
strategic planning.
