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The Editor’s Notes
From the North Carolina Justice Center:
We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved friend and colleague, Matt Ellinwood, Director of the North Carolina Justice Center’s Education & Law Project.
Matt dedicated his career to ensuring every child in North Carolina had access to a high-quality public education. His unwavering commitment to educational equity has shaped policies that will benefit students and families for generations to come.
As profound as Matt’s professional legacy is, it is who he was as a person that we will remember most.
He had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued, whether they had known him for years or had just met him. He was often the first to invite a new colleague to lunch, the first to offer encouragement, and the first to stand up for someone who needed support.
Matt led with humility, kindness, and grace, always making time for others and never seeking recognition for himself.
Despite his extraordinary brilliance and the impact he had on education policy in North Carolina and across the country, Matt remained deeply humble. He showed up in every space with warmth, authenticity, humor, and genuine care for the people around him. He believed in people, often seeing strengths and potential they couldn’t yet see in themselves. His endearing smile, generous spirit, and quiet gratitude for each day left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. That is how we will remember Matt.
If you would like to learn more about his remarkable life, you can read his obituary here.
While Matt’s loss is profound, the work he dedicated his life to will continue. We will honor his legacy by continuing the work he cared so deeply about and carrying forward the values that guided him every day.
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support during this difficult time. Thank you for keeping Matt’s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss.
The family welcomes contributions to educational funds established for his children, Charles and Archer: https://www.ugift529.com/home.html, code L6Q-U4R.
With love and remembrance.
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