President of L.A. NAACP Resigns After Sterling Scrutiny

Leon Jenkins, the president of the Los Angeles NAACP, has resigned, mere days after it was discovered the NAACP branch was planning to honor L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling with a lifetime achievement award. The announcement came in a statement on the national NAACP’s website today.

The L.A. branch of the NAACP previously gave Sterling a lifetime achievement award, and that combined with this planned second one invited much scrutiny, including scrutiny on Jenkins himself, even after the head of the national group said Sterling’s not getting the award after all.

In a brief statement, Jenkins places blame upon himself and says he is stepping aside to separate the NAACP from his decisions.

Please be advised that the legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency. In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position as President of the Los Angeles NAACP.

[h/t Ryan Parker]
[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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