Martin Luther King’s SCLC Looks To The Future

Lord knows SCLC has had its issues over the past few years, from having certain board members locked out of its headquarters  to Bernice King, daughter of the organization’s founder, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., rejecting the organizations offer to lead the dysfunctional organization into the 21st century, to now losing one of the people who appeared to be getting SCLC back on track, Rev. Howard Creecy who passed away suddenly recently.  My prayers are with SCLC during this difficult time.  I believe that we  all need to do what we have to do to ensure the work of this great organization continues.  After all, a lot of people died so that we could have the rights we have today!  Rest in Peace Rev. Creecy!!!

By: Marjorie Coley

ATLANTA, GA. (WABE) – With the passing of the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,  (SCLC) members of the civil rights group are now looking toward the future. Specifically, who will take over for the late Howard Creecy? Marjorie Coley reports.

Before he died Reverend Creecy said he wanted to rebrand, restore and revitalize the SCLC. He was off to a good start says Isaac Farris. Farris, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s nephew, is SCLC  interim leader.

“He saved the organization. Had it not be for Howard, his people skills, his knowledge and his sense of history and but more  importantly just his ability to bring varying interest together is what saved this place,” said Farris.

Reverend Creecy wanted young people to tackle today’s civil rights issues such as racism and poverty. Some of those plans were
already underway, according to the group’s board vice chair Dr. Bernard Lafayette.

“He had already started some discussions with the student leadership at Morehouse to host a national student conference here in Atlanta
and we’re going to follow through on that to make that happen,” said Dr. Lafayette.

In addition to energizing kids, Board member JT Johnson says  Creecy was also focused on the clergy. “Howard had reached out to preachers
around the country asking them to set up chapters of SCLC in their churches, which I thought was a very radical and important thing to do. So we will continue to do that,” said Johnson.

But an ongoing court battle could  complicate things. The Reverend Markel Hutchins is on one side of the battle.  Hutchins says it’s time for reconciliation. But he also wants the Georgia Court  of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling that declared the current SCLC board, the official board. “A house divided cannot stand and at this moment, SCLC is still a divided house,” said Hutchins.

Isaac Farris says his side is willing to work with anyone but it takes two to tango.”We’re not the aggressors here, they are,” said Farris.

Farris says Hutchins needs to cease and desist.”In the spirit of my uncle, in the spirit of this organization, we’re always into reconciliation. But you can’t force reconciliation on someone.”

The future of the SCLC also involves a new election where a new president and other officers will be selected.

Board members will meet during the SCLC convention set for August 14 through 16th here in Atlanta

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