August 5th 2023.
Charles Ogletree, a beloved professor at Harvard Law School and acclaimed defense attorney, has passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He leaves behind an impressive legacy of racial justice advocacy that has had an impactful presence in his workplace and profession.
Charles was born in Merced, California, to parents who instilled in him a profound passion for education. His ambition drove him to attend Stanford University, where he began to actively engage in activism. His close friends and colleagues affectionately referred to him as ‘Tree’.
‘Tree’ used his platform and intelligence to enact change for racial equity on a global level. Notably, Ogletree aided in revising South Africa’s constitution after the dismantling of apartheid, as reported by NPR. He was also a trusted advisor and confidante of former President Barack Obama, who studied with Ogletree at Harvard Law School. Obama described his friend as “somebody who was lifted up by others who saw there was some hope in me. That’s what life is all about.”
Throughout his career, Ogletree defended individuals such as Anita Hill in her claims of sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, as well as Tupac Shakur and Reverend Jesse Jackson. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he used the unfortunate circumstance to shed light on the fact that Black individuals are disproportionately impacted by the disease.
Despite his health declining, Ogletree still remained a powerful advocate for equal rights. He accepted awards to share stories of hope, and expressed a desire to be remembered for more than accolades. “I want to be remembered for somebody who was lifted up by others who saw there was some hope in me,” he said.
His legacy of advocating for justice and marginalized people will live on forever. As his friend Dennis Sweet put it, “I think Tree will go down in history as a champion of justice. He’s going to have one heck of a legacy.”
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