In the rich tapestry of Orange County’s Black history, few contemporary figures exemplify persistence and public service quite like Joal Hall Broun. As a district court judge for the 15B Judicial District serving Orange and Chatham counties, Broun has become a pivotal figure in the region’s ongoing story of progress and representation.
Long before donning judicial robes, Broun’s worldview was shaped by her unique upbringing. As the daughter of an Air Force serviceman, her early years were spent on integrated military bases—environments that stood in stark contrast to much of the segregated South. This foundation of inclusion continued throughout her education in integrated schools and has informed her approach to public service.
Today, Judge Broun presides over a diverse household that reflects America’s beautiful complexity. Her marriage to her Jewish husband has created a family that celebrates multiple heritages—Christian, Jewish, and African American. This personal commitment to embracing diversity mirrors her professional dedication to ensuring justice for all Orange County residents.
Broun’s career reveals a profound understanding of education’s power to transform lives. Her experience as an assistant public defender showed her firsthand the direct correlation between educational success and outcomes in the criminal justice system—insights that would later fuel her passionate advocacy for schools.
“What I learned from my clients is that there is a direct correlation between success in school and a person’s future, especially in the criminal justice system,” Broun has noted.
This belief in education’s transformative potential drove her to seek appointment to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools board in 2016, where she filled a vacancy left by former Board Member Michelle Brownstein. Her effective leadership earned voters’ trust, and she secured a full term in the November 2017 general election.
Before her judicial appointment by Governor Roy Cooper in 2021, Broun’s impact on Orange County was already substantial. As a member of the Carrboro Board of Alderman from 1999 to 2011, she played a crucial role in approving permits for Morris Grove Elementary School and Carrboro High School, advocating for streamlined processes to ensure timely openings.
Her vision extended beyond classrooms. During six and a half years on the OWASA board, she gained expertise in capital improvement planning and infrastructure development essential to southern Orange County’s growth. She spearheaded the development of a more realistic capital improvement plan for Carrboro, which led to the purchase of additional parklands and the planning and construction of the town’s second fire station.
When Governor Cooper appointed Broun to replace Judge Beverly Scarlett in June 2021, it represented not just a personal achievement but another milestone in Orange County’s ongoing journey toward inclusive representation.
Her judicial approach reflects values developed throughout her career: including diverse perspectives in decision-making, listening to multiple viewpoints, and ensuring that all voices—particularly those traditionally marginalized—are heard in the halls of justice.
As Judge Joal Hall Broun presides in the courtrooms of the 15B Judicial District, she continues the legacy of resilience and progress that has defined Black history in Orange County for generations. Her story reminds us that the work of building more equitable communities continues today through dedicated public servants whose lived experiences inform their commitment to justice for all.
