SCLC still searching for a leader

4th June 2012   ·   0 Comments

By David Stokes
Contributing Writer

(Special to the NNPA from the Atlanta Inquirer) – As members and supporters of the civil rights organization founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. and other clergy prepare for its annual convention in July, in Sanford, Fla., the de’ja vu effect rings prominently for some as the fight to lead the group grows stronger and more fierce.

While the names of respective activists Ben Chavis Muhammad of North Carolina, and Ralph David Abernathy III and the Rev. Markel Hutchins of Atlanta lead the contingent to succeed Isaac Farris, Jr. as president/CEO of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), there is one name now among the list of finalists that is gaining momentum: Charles Steele, Jr. In recent weeks, the former Alabama state senator’s name has crept into conversations among members in Atlanta and elsewhere. According to those familiar with the scenario, Steele, the organization’s president/CEO from 2005-09, after the resignation of Martin Luther King III in 2003, is being promoted by various members to return as SCLC’s chief “to help restore credibility and bring about successful fundraising,” according to a member from Alabama who chose to remain anonymous for this story. Additionally, another individual close to the situation surmised that Steele “is close to signing a contract to become the next president—and he is very much needed right at this point.” When reached in his metro Atlanta office last week, however, Steele indicated “no commitment” to restore his presidency of the SCLC. Nevertheless, Steele continued, “I’ve heard rumors from chapters…, but I would need to have serious conversation and consideration from the board of directors” to return to the office. Also, when questioned specifically on whether a contract was being prepared for his return, Steele laughed, saying, “You can’t go by the rumors out there.”

Although Steele resigned from SCLC three years ago to begin Charles Steele & Associates, a consulting firm located in East Point, Ga., the 65-year old-activist from Tuscaloosa, Ala., has been a longtime activist for civil/human rights as well during his early days in Alabama. Steele, a father of two and grandfather of one, rose through the ranks of SCLC in Alabama—”the cradle of the Confederacy”—where the modern-day Civil Rights Movement began. He eventually ascended to become the SCLC’s national vice president in the mid-’90s, thereby, becoming presi­dent/CEO after the interim presidency of the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth (1922-2011) upon King 3rd leaving office. Among Steele’s accomplishments were creating SCLC Conflict Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, advocating forthright conversation between adversaries, and, in 2007, commissioning the organization’s new four-story headquarters, at 320 Auburn Ave., NE. Also present for the ceremony was former President Bill Clinton, in Atlanta, during the group’s 50th annual convention. Additionally, a “growing movement” remains existent for Steele’s return, according to members, to basically “regroup with the organization and have take SCLC seriously as the great organization it is,” exclaimed one member from Florida. “We’ve got to stop the fighting among ourselves and let’s help the people move forward, together, for good jobs, decent healthcare and education and housing.”

While Steele is being encouraged to return, Isaac Farris, Jr. has not been seen in the Auburn Avenue national office in weeks to assist sustaining his administration. As the Rev. C.T. Vivian, at 88 and director of chapters and affiliates during King, Jr.’s administration, was named interim president last month, until the formal vote for a new chief takes place at the convention in Sanford, Fla., members are politicking for their candidate. Chavis-Muhammad is the former national president/CEO of NAACP, as well as a member of 1960s’ “Wilmington 10″; the Rev. Markel Hutchins is a 30-something activist from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and Abernathy III is the namesake of the SCLC’s co-founder who will receive next month a Master’s in Biblical Studies and Doctorate of Theology from the North Carolina College of Theology. (Farris, Jr., age 50, and the son of King’s sister, Christine King Farris, did not return a reporter’s phone calls for comment.) Nevertheless, at last week’s end, anticipation grows by members to determine whether Steele will decide to return to advance the group’s “to redeem the soul of America” mantra. “We are in need of strong leadership to move SCLC further into this century,” one member from North Carolina said. “Whether it’s (Steele) or somebody else who is worthwhile to be our president,” the member continued, “SCLC must regain its position as an organization to fight injustice.” Indicated another member, “we cannot ignore the strong and inspiring legacy of King, Abernathy and Lowery. They were the origin and leaders of the initial call for justice and equality. We cannot … we must not allow their efforts to vanquish in vain. SCLC must be regenerated for the successful future of America.” (At late press time, repeated calls to Farris for comment were unreturned.)

The SCLC’s new president is expected to be voted upon during July’s convention by organization’s delegates. Steele indicated, too, although he has not been asked (at presstime) to attend the convention, the “possibility” exists for him to attend.

This article was originally published in the June 4, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper