Friday is Prof. Charles Ogletree Day on Martha’s Vineyard as declared by Morehouse College. On Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the home of Lou Sullivan, he will receive the 2017 Lux Award on the occasion of their 150th anniversary. Charles is a true Morehouse man if there ever was one. Oh yes, I full well know that he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and not Morehouse, but it is the essence of his life’s work that makes him a man of Morehouse. Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, who served for 27 years as President once said, “every man and women is born to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.” Part of the culture and education at the college requires that their graduates are “attendant to the social justice needs” of their generation. Morehouse men are expected to lead a “consequential life.” The convergence of this Morehouse promise and the career of Charles Ogletree was realized through the life of Charles Hamilton Houston.

Among other things, Charles Hamilton Houston can be said to be the most significant lawyer in America for the first half of the 20th century. A graduate of Harvard Law School in 1922, he was the first black student to become editor of the Harvard Law Review. He assumed leadership of the Howard University Law School in 1929 and converted it from a part-time school to a fully accredited school, changing the curriculum to one that trained students to fight in the courts for civil rights.

In 2005 the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice was founded by Prof. Charles Ogletree at Harvard Law School. This is where the promise of the Mays Morehouse consequential life would unfold for Mr. Ogletree. Continuing the legal and policy matters that fight discrimination, the institute launched the Houston/Marshall Plan for Community Justice, the Prison Studies Program, the Fair Punishment Project and the community Justice Project all facing issues of disparity, discrimination and racism.

He has developed dozens of community programs at Harvard, hosted public discussions at the Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluffs since 2003 on topics like race, religion and reason. He has been a prolific author writing All Deliberate Speed: Reflections on Brown, The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. and many more. In his first job out of law school, he worked for the District of Columbia public defender service. He has represented many indigent clients and well know clients like Anita Hill and Tupac Shakur. He served as a national radio and television commentator. All the while he was training scores of bright young lawyers to go out into the world and make a difference. President Obama and First lady Michelle continue to praise their former teacher. Join many today to praise the life and career of this Morehouse man.

On August 10 at 5 p.m. there will be a fundraising benefit for WYOB Radio (105.5 FM). A Taste of Jamaica will be held at the Atria Restaurant. A panel discuss on The Power of Black Media and Journalists in the Era of Trump organized by the Center for American Progress will be held on August 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lola’s.. The Girlfriends Inc. are hosting their fabulous 11th annual luncheon on August 14 at noon at Lola’s.

Former Newton Mayor Setti Warren brings his new launch for governor of Massachusetts to the Vineyard. Brenda and Leon Brathwaite will be hosting a party on August 12 at 3 p.m.

The August Washington exodus permits DC luminaries to enjoy the Vineyard sun. Sen. Kamala Harris from California will be hosting a reception for Fearless for the People at the PAC on August 14 at 5 p.m. April Ryan, CNN commentator and Urban Radio White House correspondent, will be a new face on August 17 at the annual Hutchins Institute Forum, this year titled “Race and Racism in the Age of Trump.” The event begins at 5 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church. She will also appear at Cousen Rose Gallery at 1 p.m. on the same day for a book signing.

Congressional Black Caucus chairman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana and Cong. Barbara Lee of California will be hosting a fundraiser for Boston City Councilor at Large Ayanna Pressley on August 19 at 3 p.m. at the home of Bennie and Flash Wiley.

The Rev. Dr. Canon Sandye A. Wilson will be speaking at Union Chapel this Sunday at 10 a.m. Atlanta’s own Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock from Ebenezer Baptist Church will be in the pulpit at First Congregational Church of West Tisbury also at 10 a.m.

Paradise on earth is the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!

Send Oak Bluffs news to rtaylor@mvgazette.com.