Leon W. Russell
Leon Russell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People | |
| Assumed office February 18, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Roslyn Brock |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 or 1950 (age 74–75) |
Leon W. Russell (born 1949/1950)[1] is an African-American civil rights leader and a human rights executive. He was elected to succeed Roslyn Brock as chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board of directors on February 18, 2017.[2][3]
Professional career
[edit]Russell spent nearly four decades as the Director of the Office of Human Rights for Pinellas County in Clearwater, Florida, retiring in 2012.[4][5] For his contributions to the improvement of equality and equity across the United States, Russell has received numerous civic awards and citations.[6]
NAACP
[edit]Russell has spent over four decades in various leadership capacities with the NAACP.[7][8] Under his leadership, the NAACP has taken on environmental and climate justice as civil and human rights issues.[9] In 2023, Russell presented Congressman Bennie Thompson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.[10][11][12][13] In 2022, Russell presented Samuel L. Jackson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.[14][15][16][17] In 2021, He presented Rev. James Lawson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.[18][19][20][21] Russell presented the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award to congressman John Lewis in 2020.[22] Russell believes in the well-being of America's children, serving on various boards to ensure their rights are protected.[23] He led a campaign, with the assistance of former National presidents of the NAACP, to focus on bringing young adults into the organization to change the mindset of how people view the NAACP.[24] As Chairman of the NAACP National board of directors, Russell is charged with setting policy for the National NAACP President and CEO to implement. He outlined the strategy in 2017.[25] He spent time in Ohio urging young adults to get engaged in the Civil Rights movement.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/pinellas-defender-of-human-rights-will-retire-from-job-but-not-from/1213120/
- ^ "Leon W. Russell Elected as New Chairman of NAACP". 22 February 2017.
- ^ "Pinellas' defender of human rights will retire from job, but not from advocacy".
- ^ Rowe, Peggy (March 24, 2009). "Employee Policies & Procedures" (PDF). Human Resources. Pinellas County, Florida. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Leon Russell".
- ^ "Chair of NAACP National Board of Directors". Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Leon W. Russell". NAACP. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Leon W. Russell Elected As New Chairman Of NAACP". The Seattle Medium. Trice Edney Wire. February 22, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "NAACP Chair to be Castor's Guest at State of the Union". Tampa Bay Reporter. February 4, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Angela Bassett, Beyonce Top 2023 NAACP Image Awards (Full List of Winners)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best Moments from the 54th NAACP Image Awards". 26 February 2023.
- ^ "NAACP Image Awards Honors Congressman Bennie G. Thompson with Chairman's Award". BET.
- ^ "Congressman Bennie Thompson Named Chairman's Award Recipient for "54th NAACP Image Awards" and Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump to Receive Social Justice Impact Award | NAACP". 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Samuel L. Jackson to be honored for public service at NAACP Image Awards". 3 February 2022.
- ^ "Samuel L. Jackson Urges Viewers to Fight for Voting Rights at NAACP Image Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. 27 February 2022.
- ^ "2022 NAACP Awards: Samuel L. Jackson Honored with Chairman's Award".
- ^ "Samuel L. Jackson to receive honor at NAACP Image Awards". Associated Press News. 3 February 2022.
- ^ "Reverend James Lawson Announced as Recipient of Chairman's Award for 52nd NAACP Image Awards | NAACP". 4 March 2021.
- ^ "The Rev. James Lawson receives NAACP Chairman's Award for integral contributions to racial justice".
- ^ "NAACP IMAGE AWARD Winners Announced on BET and CBS".
- ^ "Rev. James Lawson Announced as Recipient of Chairman's Award for 52nd NAACP Image Awards". BET.
- ^ Leon W. Russell Honors Congressman John Lewis (Video clip). BET. February 22, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Leon Russell: Board Chair". iamforkids.org. American Children's Campaign. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Marbella, Jean (July 22, 2017). "Meeting in Baltimore, NAACP revamping for a faster-paced political climate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Derrick; Russell, Leon W. (May 19, 2017). "NAACP Chairmen: 'Today Is the First Day of Our Next 100 Years'". NBC News. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Turner, Brett (November 19, 2017). "National NAACP chairman encourages Springfield unit to engage youth". Springfield News-Sun. Retrieved July 24, 2022.