The NAACP, one of the country’s longstanding racial justice and civil rights organizations, pledged to execute a vigorous “transformational, system-wide refresh” to help better position them to confront today’s urgent fight against injustice.
The organization announced the new plan on May 19, which includes a move by its national board of directors to dismiss Cornell Brooks from the position of president, which he held for only three years. Brooks will officially be replaced at the end of June, when his contract with the group expires.
While the organization searches for new leadership, the NAACP will be led by Board Chairman Leon W. Russell and Vice Chair Derrick Johnson, both of whom were elected into their positions in February.
Brooks, who recently staged a sit-in protest against the appointment of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, told the New York Times that he was “somewhat mystified and disappointed” by the decision, citing his love for the work and activism he exemplified during his time as president.
“Relevance is about authenticity and impact, and we tried to do that. So it’s been a tough ride,” Brooks told the NYT.
