The NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, has appointed Kristen Clarke, a former official in President Biden's Justice Department, as its next general counsel. Clarke, who previously led the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, is set to oversee legal strategies focusing on critical issues such as voter access, gerrymandering, and First Amendment rights. In a statement, she expressed her honor in joining the NAACP at a moment she described as 'critical for our democracy,' highlighting the continuous challenges faced by communities regarding their civil rights. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson praised Clarke's leadership and vision during these unprecedented times that threaten voting and civil rights. Clarke's appointment reflects the NAACP's commitment to combating efforts that seek to undermine voting rights, tracing back to the historical struggles of Black Americans. Before her DOJ tenure, Clarke served as the president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and is currently a professor at Howard University School of Law. She will continue her academic role while serving at the NAACP.
NAACP Appoints Kristen Clarke as General Counsel to Lead Legal Advocacy
The NAACP has announced the appointment of Kristen Clarke, former head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, as its new general counsel, focusing on voter access and civil rights.
Kristen Clarke has been appointed as the new general counsel of the NAACP. In this role, she will direct the organization’s legal strategies and litigation efforts pertaining to voting access, gerrymandering, and First Amendment rights. Clarke, who previously led the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, emphasizes the urgency of defending justice amidst ongoing attacks on civil rights.
