CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The former Vance High School is now named Julius L. Chambers High School honoring long-term civil rights attorney Julius Chambers.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board voted to change the name last fall. The school was formerly named after Zebulon Vance who was a former senator, governor and confederate colonel.

Chambers founded the first integrated law firm in North Carolina and was the face of several civil rights lawsuits across the nation. Chamber's son, Derek, attended the dedication ceremony saying it has been a dream come true.

“It’s a new day, it’s a brand new deal here at Julius L. Chambers High School. A brand new day and everyone should be proud of this day and happy because the school is going in the right direction, in a new direction. So, it’s a new beginning,” he said.

U.S. Representative Alma Adams and CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston were also in attendance Wednesday.