Roland Harris Hayes was born in Winston-Salem in 1931. He graduated from Atkins High School, Winston-Salem State University, and received his law degree from North Carolina Central University.
Before he attended law school, he worked several years for Wachovia Bank , where he managed several branch banks.
Hayes was appointed to the North Carolina District Court by Governor Hunt in 1984, which made him the first African American appointed judge in the 21st Judicial District. He served several terms, and retired in 2002. After retirement, he was commissioned Emergency District Court Judge, and served as an “On Call” judge for any court in the district.
Judge Hayes was active in his community and in his church, and was a member of several professional organizations.
Judge Hayes died in 2013.
