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29 Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2016
In Memoriam
A Tribute To Jack Gravely
By Joe W. Dillard Jr.
When you say the name Jack Gravely,
you cannot help but to think of the NAACP.
I first met Jack in October of 2014 when
he was the keynote speaker for the Virginia
Beach NAACP Freedom Dinner. Being fairly
new to the civil rights movement, I was
blown away by this man who reminded me
of Joe Clark from the movie “Lean on Me.”
He went into detail how in his younger days
he got with some younger members of the
NAACP like now State Senator Louisa L.
Lucas and discussed their desire to represent the people they served in
many spheres of the civil rights movement. Never before this day had I
heard from a pioneer in the movement who vividly painted the picture
of his activism in his younger days. It was more inspirational at the
time than I knew it to be.
The second time I met Jack Gravely, he was this fired up NAACP
savior hopeful to return the Virginia State Conference NAACP back to
its rightful place as the leading civil rights advocacy group in this land.
He was so fired up; he began to tell anyone in the crowd, if they had a
problem with him they could meet him at his house and he proceeded
to give out his home address. Again,
déjà vu, this was most certainly a
scene from“Lean onMe.” Iwondered
why this man had so much air in his
chest at such a “young age” but many
took his passion out of content. See
as a new leader in the civil rights
movement, I never witnessed this
style of leadership. Of course as a
millennial I read about it in textbooks
and some novels. However, I was in
the thick of witnessing a Virginia
State Conference NAACP legend
return to rear the organization back
into top shape.
I didn’t know how to take his
comments. Where they an insult to the general membership? Not so, it
was a clear challenge to every member of theVirginia State Conference
NAACP to get on board with doing the work of the people. It didn’t
take long for me to begin to get calls of seasoned members of the
NAACP excited to know that Jack Gravely was returning as our interim
executive director. Rev. John Hines was beaming with excitement of
his friend returning. Literally, the Virginia State Conference received a
jolt of energy after his announcement.What I never shared with anyone
is why I decided to run for the Vice President of the Virginia State
Conference of the NAACP. Jack Gravely was a major influence on
my decision, he challenged members of all ages to step up and be the
leaders needed today in society. After his dynamic speech in Virginia
Beach, I am sure he didn’t know it but he convinced me it was time
for the millennial generation to step up to the plate. Jack, was the man
who would approach you directly with problems. You did not have to
hear “Jack, said” because, certainly he would be telling you himself.
Jack leaves behind big shoes to fill but isn’t that cliché to say? Jack has
made one of the greatest impacts on the growth of the Virginia State
Conference NAACP and I think that is a safe assumption for anyone
who knew the legend JackW. Gravely.
What better way to close this tribute than to quote the late Jack
Gravely? “Walk Slow, Drinking Plenty of Water. Gone.”
Joe W. Dillard Jr. is President, Norfolk Branch NAACP
&Vice- President, Virginia State Conference NAACP
GRAVELY
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Phone 804-644-1702
FAX: 804-644-1703
E-Mail:
Web Site:
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