After nearly a decade at the helm, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) announced today that President and CEO, Charles Steele Jr., will step down from his position effective August 31st. Steele, who has led the organization since 2014, cited a desire to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with family as the primary reasons for his departure.
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve as President and CEO of the SCLC,” stated Steele in a press release. “I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to continue the legacy of Dr. King and advance the cause of justice and equality for all.”
Steele’s tenure has been marked by a focus on voter engagement, economic justice, and criminal justice reform. Under his leadership, the SCLC has actively campaigned against voter suppression, advocated for living wages, and called for police accountability.
The SCLC Board of Directors has begun the search for a new president and CEO. “Charles Steele Jr. has been an exemplary leader, and we are grateful for his commitment to the SCLC,” said Dr. [Insert Name of Board Chair], Chair of the SCLC Board of Directors. “We are confident that his legacy will continue to inspire us as we move forward in our fight for justice.”
Steele’s departure comes at a time of heightened social and political unrest in the United States. While his absence will undoubtedly be felt, his legacy of advocating for social justice will undoubtedly continue to inspire the organization’s future leaders.
