“We have been honored to work very closely with Ben Jealous over the years on a number of civil rights issues and events—most recently in the commemorative and call to action activities for the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and in the development of the Agenda for a 21st Century America.
“We have benefitted from his partnership and his steadfast commitment to equal rights and justice for all; and we have been inspired by his passion in speaking truth to power.
“Because of his leadership, the NAACP is strengthened in its ability to fight the civil rights and social justice battles of today—racial profiling and disparities in criminal justice; and to preserve key civil rights gains secured by past generations including voting rights and affirmative action.
“We wish Ben well and we are confident that his voice in the civil rights movement will continue to be heard in a different capacity.”
Co-organizers of the African-American Leaders Convening:
Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network