Services planned after former NAACP Milwaukee Branch president dies

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The community is mourning the loss of an attorney who dedicated his life to Milwaukee.

"It's 40 years of advocacy," Celia Jackson said.

In the 1970s, Jackson met James Hall while attending law school in Virginia. Unbeknownst to her was that she would spend the next 50 years knowing him. In those decades of friendship, she watched Hall tackle countless cases involving discrimination in employment, housing, and education.

"It's so sad that he's gone. I think he just left us too soon, but it's real clear he left a mark in this community," she said. "He did what he was called to do."

Outside the courtroom, Hall was active in his community. He served as President of the local NAACP chapter and co-founded the mentorship program 100 Black Men of Milwaukee.

"No matter what he did, no matter what he said. You knew he always had your best interest at heart," President of 100 Black Men of Milwaukee Joseph Addison said. "No matter what room he walked into, you knew he meant business."

Many were touched by Hall's compassion, including Milwaukee's first African-American mayor, Cavalier Johnson, who met Hall as a teenager attending the YMCA.

"I'm very proud to have known James, to have worked with James to some extent, and benefited from the foundation that he laid for us in this community," Johnson said.

While he is described as a quiet, gentle giant and someone who always made his presence known.

"He was not, you know, this loud, boisterous person. He's a quiet guy who went out and knew what needed to be accomplished and worked diligently in order to accomplish those things," Johnson said.

While Hall was a serious person, Jackson tells CBS 58 he had a fun side.

"He did a lot of things that some people might not know about. He and I would have conversations about different types of things, like pop culture and what's happening with music. He was really into music. Many different genres of music," she said.

In September, the Social Development Foundation presented Hall with the Don Sykes Legacy Award. Now, it is up to others to continue his work.

"What we can do is live upon his legacy. Remember, no matter what we do, what would James Hall do?" Addison said.

Memorial and gathering services are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9. The Gathering starts at 10:00 a.m., and the memorial service begins at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Zion Church, 2207 North 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI.

The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13 in Virginia.