Excerpt:

Charlotte finally decided to do something about its deep racial divide.

And James Ferguson was there amid the action.

Ferguson, The Post's newsmaker of the year, represented the families of three black motorists slain by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police in as many years. He is seeking to reopen the landmark busing case won by his law firm 30 years ago. And, he chaired the task force which organized the city's first race summit.

Ferguson said he is humbled by the honor.

"There's always someone else equally deserving," he said. "That's certainly true when I am concerned."