Nat’l NAACP Elects New Chair

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the NAACP

(TriceEdneyWire.com) 

The NAACP board of directors has elected Leon W. Russell as the Chairman Board of Directors at its annual board meeting on February 18 in New York. Russell replaces Roslyn M. Brock, who decided to step down as chairman after seven years of leadership.

“Leon W. Russell is a stalwart NAACP civil and human rights leader who is prepared to lead the NAACP into the future,” said Brock. Mr. Russell has been the chief architect in the development of the NAACP’s strategic plan and champion of its organizational policy and resolutions process. His commitment to the Association’s mission of protecting civil rights for all Americans remains unquestioned,” she added.

Chairman Brock who succeeded the late Chairman Emeritus H. Julian Bond in 2010 has been a powerful advocate for social justice and the reintegration of young people into key aspects of the organizational planning and policy objectives.

In honoring Ms. Brock’s leadership and 32-year volunteer service to the NAACP, she was elected Chairman Emeritus by the Board and presented with an NAACP Image Award.

Russell most-recently served as vice chair of the board and has been a board member for over 27 years. He served as President of the Florida State Conference of Branches of the NAACP from 1996-2000, after serving for 15 years as the first vice president. He is the current Mississippi State NAACP president.

“I am indebted to the work and leadership of Chairman Emeritus Brock and President Brooks for inheriting a powerful organization that after 108 years, still remains the most relevant and influential civil rights organization in our nation. I assure you that I will keep watered the seeds of activism and social justice that the NAACP’s legacy spouts from,” he said.