The community of Contra Costa County is mourning the loss of a significant figure in local politics. Federal Glover, who made history as the first Black supervisor in the county, passed away at the age of 69 in a San Francisco hospital, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.
Not only was Glover a dedicated public servant, but he was also recognized as a loving family man. Raised in Pittsburg, his youth saw him become homecoming king and class president before he leaped at the first of his siblings to pursue higher education. Serving on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors since 2000, his tenure was marked by a commitment to justice, equity, and community service, according to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
In one of the darkest experiences shaping Glover's childhood, he encountered discrimination that left indelible marks on his memory and later fueled his public speeches advocating for racial justice. This aspect of his narrative was recalled by fellow Supervisor John Gioia, who told the San Francisco Chronicle how Glover "overcame so many obstacles in his life to get where he was."
During his post on the Board, Glover was instrumental in establishing the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, responding to a period of societal introspection on racism. Glover's advocacy, which took on a personal note following his heart and kidney transplant in 2015, highlighted his approach to policy-making, as Gioia recalled, no notes needed, especially when the topic struck deep. “If it was a subject he really cared about,” Gioia noted, per the San Francisco Chronicle, “he was on it.”
