FELICIA LINDSAY ASHLEY POINTE Walking the Graduation Stage after 40 Years Teacher Inspired by Students to attend Law School

In December, 40 years after first stepping onto the NCCU campus, Felicia Lindsay collected her degree. Lindsay enrolled at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in fall 1983. During that term, she found out she was pregnant.

“My family was very disappointed and sent me back to New York,” Lindsay said. She married her son’s father, a high school friend, but the marriage didn’t last. As a single parent, Lindsay found raising a son and working fulltime difficult enough without adding university.

She was hired by a Walmart and worked the late shift as a cashier. The hours and wages improved when she was promoted to customer service and later to supervisor of the front of the store.

In 2018, Lindsay decided to give college another chance. Her son was grown and married with two sons of his own. Her aunt – who earned both a bachelor’s and law degree at NCCU – also encouraged her.

“She’s an advocate for education,” Lindsay said. “It doesn’t matter if you are 16 or 68.”

She found a new employer who, though paying less, would offer her the flexibility to attend classes. Concerned about whether she could handle university coursework after a 35-year hiatus, she started at Durham Technical Community College.

She had challenges. In 2019, she woke up one day with double vision and a continuation of weakening in her legs. She went to an emergency room and ended up in front of a neurologist who diagnosed an autoimmune disease named Myasthenia Gravis. It is incurable but non-life threatening and could be treated with medication.

“I went to Durham Tech with an eyepatch,” Lindsay said. “I felt if I let anything stop me (from attending college), life would get in the way of my continuing.” She graduated magna cum laude from Durham Tech and in 2021 returned to NCCU, where she enrolled in interdisciplinary studies. “My professors were great,” Lindsay said. “My classes were enjoyable.” Then 56 years old and with a lifetime of employment behind her, Lindsay’s academic aim was more about enrichment than preparing for a career.

In September 2023, she underwent replacement of her left knee. Through physical therapy, cortisone injections and using a cane, she continued at NCCU with online courses and, as of November 2023, had a grade point average of 3.89. Lindsay declared that nothing would stop her from attending commencement. “Even if I have to use the cane, I’m going to be there,” Lindsay said.

On Dec. 9, 40 years after first arriving at college, Lindsay walked across the NCCU graduation stage.

Sometimes teachers inspire students. For Ashley Pointe, her students inspired her to earn a law degree.

Pointe, who graduated from the School of Law at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on Dec. 9, 2023 taught earth sciences for five years at Riverside High School in Williamston, North Carolina.

“Because I taught science, we could dive into forensic science,” Pointe said. “We would listen to the true crime podcasts and talk about different trials. One day a student said ‘I think you would be a good lawyer.’”

At first, Pointe dismissed the idea.

“Law school seemed a bit far-fetched,” Pointe said. “I am older than traditional students, married and have two kids.”

Then one of her students got into legal trouble and was sent to prison. That student is now six years into a 10-year sentence. Some of her other students also found themselves with legal challenges.

“The community we are a part of, it’s not conducive for certain types of students to thrive in,” Pointe said. “It really inspired me to do something more. If I pursue a legal career, I can help them navigate the legal process.”

Pointe spoke to her husband, her in-laws and her parents before resigning as a high school teacher and enrolling at NCCU School of Law in summer 2021.

It was not easy.

Her commute to law school from Monday – Thursday was four hours per day. While driving Pointe would re-listen to class lectures, YouTube videos and podcasts on legal topics.

In order to study, she spent less time with family and skipped social occasions and vacations. Her parents helped by watching her kids –ages three and four when she started law school – on weekends.

She spoke to her advisor, Professor Lydia Lavelle, J.D., about the difficulty of balancing family life with law school. Lavelle suggested Pointe take summer classes. She did, allowing her to graduate one semester early.

Pointe was scheduled to take the bar exam in February 2024. Pending passing, in March she started as an assistant public defender for North Carolina, working in Beaufort and Martin counties.

“If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you . . . that’s me!” Pointe said.

’BY MARK LAWTON

Taylor, named to Triangle Business Journal’s 2024 Women in Business class, said she exposes her son to as much as she can. For example, when she curated the opening of N.C. Freedom Park in Raleigh for Gov. Roy Cooper in 2023, Mansa joined her in the governor’s mansion.