Charles Ogletree was an attorney and Harvard law professor who served as a mentor to the Obamas and represented clients such as Anita Hill and Tupac Shakur, as well as advocating for victims of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.
- Died: August 4, 2023 (Who else died on August 4?)
- Details of death: Died in Odenton, Maryland, of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 70.
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Charles Ogletree’s legacy
Born in Merced, California, to farm workers, Ogletree earned a political science degree from Stanford University before going on to Harvard Law School, where he earned his law degree and became president of the Black American Law Students Association. After graduation, he joined the District of Columbia Public Defender Service and ascended to the position of deputy director. During the course of his career, he represented such high-profile clients as Anita Hill and Tupac Shakur.
In 1985, Ogletree returned to Harvard to become a law professor and vice dean for clinical programs. There, he taught both Barack and Michelle Obama, who would go on to become President and First Lady of the United States. He also penned and contributed to several notable works during this period, including “Beyond the Rodney King Story: An Investigation of Police Conduct in Minority Communities,” “Brown at 50: The Unfinished Legacy,” and “From Lynch Mobs to the Killing State: Race and the Death Penalty in America.”
Ogletree also fought for reparations for victims of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre and made dozens of television appearances on major news programs, including “Nightline,” “This Week with David Brinkley,” “Crossfire,” and “Meet the Press.”
At the age of 60, his wife began to notice health issues, and by 62, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
During his career, Ogletree was honored with an array of awards, including the National Conference on Black Lawyers People’s Lawyer of the Year Award, the Man of Vision Award, the Albert Sacks-Paul A. Freund Award for Teaching Excellence, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and many others.
Tributes to Charles Ogletree
Full obituary: The Washington Post
