Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: L. Oveta Glover’s Leadership Shines at NAACP Freedom Fund Gala
- CUBNSC
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC | September 27, 2025
The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center was filled with history, purpose, and pride last night as the NAACP Columbia Branch hosted its 38th Annual Freedom Fund Gala. While the evening featured stirring performances, inspiring reflections, and a fiery keynote from Reverend Nelson Rivers, the true centerpiece was the unwavering leadership of Columbia Branch President L. Oveta Glover.
A lifelong civil rights activist, Glover now stands at the threshold of history once more. As she campaigns for the presidency of the South Carolina State NAACP Conference, she carries not only the weight of a storied legacy but also the promise of a new generation eager to see the movement move forward.
A Legacy Rooted in Struggle and Triumph
Reverend Rivers reminded the audience that Glover’s name belongs among South Carolina’s civil rights giants. In 1963, as a young student, she and eleven others desegregated Charleston’s public schools—a courageous act that helped push South Carolina closer to fulfilling the promise of Brown v. Board of Education. That spirit of defiance and resilience has never left her.
At seventy years old, Glover remains a force of nature. As one reflection described, she is “emerging, once again, as the kind of activist that is relevant for the time in which we are in—creating a civil rights economy that supports the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and shapers.” Her presence is a testament to the enduring necessity of elder leadership in guiding today’s struggles.
A Voice for Justice in Troubling Times
Speaker after speaker echoed the same refrain: these are dangerous times. From book bans and attacks on affirmative action to South Carolina’s continued failure to pass a hate crimes bill, the threats to progress loom large. Yet through it all, Glover’s leadership has remained steadfast—marked by dignity, fairness, and courage, as noted by Judge Amy McCullough and Senator Overture Walker.
Sym Singh, government affairs director for Scout Motors, underscored her impact: “Like you, Ms. Glover, we know progress doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when people work together, stand up for what’s right, and create paths for others to rise.”
Oveta Glover: Honoring Champions of Justice
Under President Glover’s steady hand, the Columbia Branch continues to honor those whose lives reflect the NAACP’s mission. This year’s gala shined a spotlight on individuals whose service, faith, and activism have advanced the interests of marginalized people across South Carolina.
Representative Leon Howard received the Dr. Lonnie Randolph Jr. Distinguished Service Award for his decades of public service and commitment to civil rights.
Reverend Dr. Thurman Bowens Jr. was honored with the Faith Award, recognizing the vital role of spiritual leadership in sustaining movements for justice.
Dr. John H. Dozier received the 2025 Presidential Higher Education Award for his exemplary leadership and his historic milestone as the first African American male and the 21st president of Columbia College, honoring the bold path he has set toward equity, academic excellence, and meaningful inclusion in higher education
Tiffany J. Wilder accepted the Community Service Award for her tireless grassroots work in voter education, health, and quality of life initiatives.
Johnny “World Famous” Green received the Presidential Media Legacy Award. The honor recognized his more than 40 years of distinguished service as a pioneering radio personality, entrepreneur, and member of the NAACP Columbia Branch. His voice has long entertained, educated, and empowered generations in South Carolina
Master Michael Joe Spencer Jr., an honor student and Columbia Youth Council leader, was presented with the Emerging Leader Award, symbolizing the promise of the next generation.
Each honoree’s story affirms a powerful truth: the struggle for justice requires both the wisdom of seasoned voices and the courage of young trailblazers. By lifting up these leaders, Glover and the Columbia Branch affirmed that the fight for equality is a collective, intergenerational effort—rooted in history, lived in the present, and pressing forward toward a freer tomorrow.
Eyes On October NAACP Elections
In just weeks, the South Carolina State NAACP will elect its next conference president. If Glover prevails, it will be a defining moment not only for her but for the civil rights movement in South Carolina. Her candidacy is more than a campaign—it is the continuation of a fight waged by ancestors, carried forward by elders, and now entrusted to a rising generation.
As Reverend Rivers thundered from the podium: “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.” L. Oveta Glover is one of those giants. Last night’s gala was a living testament that the struggle continues, the torch still burns, and the elders remain vital in leading us into the next chapter of justice.
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