President of Los Angeles NAACP, Leon Jenkins, Resigns Over Decision to Give Donald Sterling a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

In this April 28, 2014 file photo, Los Angeles NAACP President Leon Jenkins, left, announced that because of racist remarks made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling , the NAACP was withdrawing its intention to honor Sterling with a lifetime achievement award. Sterling’s donation to the local NAACP will be returned. The press conference was held at the NAACP Career Center at Westfield Culver City Mall. On Thursday, May 1, 2014, Jenkins resigned from his position as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)

The president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP has resigned, following scrutiny of his decision to give Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling an award for promoting civil rights.

According to the national leader of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, Leon Jenkins resigned Thursday.

Jenkins had planned to present Sterling with a “lifetime achievement award” later this month. Jenkins rescinded that offer this week after a recording surfaced on which Sterling disparaged black men.

In his resignation letter, Jenkins wrote that “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.”

The national NAACP said it is “developing guidelines for its branches to help them in their award selection process.”

Source: The AP