Civil rights leader’s death stirs memories for local man

ASHEBORO — Asheboro native Willie Gladden and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were brothers — Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers, that is. 

Belonging to the international fraternity is what allowed Gladden to make contact with the famous civil rights advocate and candidate for president who died Feb. 17 at the age of 84. 

Gladden joined the Black fraternity while at Virginia State University. Jackson was an Omega Psi Phi member at NC A&T State University. But, as Gladden said, once a brother always a brother, even when they were at different chapters and universities. 

After college, Gladden took a job at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) as adviser to fraternities and sororities. Soon he was also advising any number of campus organizations on how to put on programs and do fund-raisers and other projects. 

“I brought in speakers and handled events,” Gladden said on Feb. 18. “Events and programs were my thing.” 

It was that Omega Psi Phi brotherhood that opened the door for Gladden to approach Jackson about speaking on campus. 

“I contacted a fraternity brother who did Jackson’s schedule,” Gladden  said. “I told him I’d like for (Jackson) to speak to students. That’s how I got him.” 

Actually, Gladden was successful in getting Jackson on campus on two occasions, once in April 1990 and again in May 1992. And Jackson agreed to come for free, Gladden said. 

During the 1990 event, Jackson urged students to register and vote. Gladden was on the stage during the speech and presented Jackson a plaque afterward. 

“Then we had a private reception” that was limited to university officials and Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers, both undergraduates and graduate brothers. 

“I talked to him a lot (at the reception),” Gladden said. “He was very personable and he met my wife.” 

During their discussion, the topic came up of Ron McNair, the NC A&T graduate who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, Gladden recalled. McNair was also a fraternity brother. 

After the disaster, there was a memorial service at A&T for McNair at which Jackson spoke. Also speaking was Dr. Dannellia Gladden-Green, a cousin of Gladden’s. 

He said Jackson, at the UCLA reception, remembered Gladden-Green. “He thought highly of her.” Another family connection came about with Gladden informing Jackson that he had met his son, Jesse Jr. 

“He asked me how I liked working with students,” Gladden said. “He was proud that I was working with fraternities and sororities.” 

For the reception, Gladden was responsible for the food caterer. The problem for him was that UCLA required the use of their selected catering company. 

But their food was bland, he said. 

The way around that was to ask for something the normal caterers didn’t offer. Gladden knew of a restaurant that served a potato salad that they called “soul salad” and had them do the catering. 

“He started laughing when he learned the name,” Gladden said of Jackson. “He said, ‘This soul salad tastes really good.’ ” 

When Gladden learned of Jackson’s death, he remembered the times they spent together, short-lived as they were. 

“I reflected on the times I spent with him. I was grateful he took time to speak at my request. I was honored he would do that, and spent time with the students. 

“I was happy he was running for president (in both 1984 and 1988) as a fraternity brother. Then he came to UCLA twice,” once to encourage voting and then after the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles in 1992. He wanted healing of the city, bringing it back together as a community and rebuilding. 

“He inspired me to do what I’m doing,” Gladden continued, referring to his goal to “help and motivate young people to give back. I hope I’ve touched a life and inspired someone to take over.” 

Gladden has followed Jackson’s encouragement by co-founding with college roommate Jonathan Spencer the Coach Russell E. Murphy Football Camp held annually for local youth. The Murphy group also provides scholarships for Asheboro High School students and gives mentorship awards each year to leaders in the community. 

It was Coach Murphy who helped Gladden and Spencer go to college and enjoy successful careers. 

And it was Jesse Jackson who inspired Gladden to continue giving to youth.