Leon Russell to speak at Calfee CCC Gala

February 12 marks the founding of the NAACP 115 years ago, and we are honored that Leon W. Russell, Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, will speak at our gala on February 24.

Since its inception on February 12, 1909, the NAACP's mission has been to end racial violence and discrimination and ensure equity and civil liberties through litigation, education, and advocacy. The call for a national conference to address racial justice came in response to a series of horrific anti-Black attacks in Springfield, Illinois, that year. Nearly 60 people, including W.E.B. DuBois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Mary White Ovington, and Oswald Garrison Villard, signed the call, and it would eventually become the nation's largest grassroots civil rights organization.

Mr. Russell is an alumnus of the Calfee Training School and Christiansburg Institute. Based in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Russell has dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights. We hope you join us on the 24th to hear from him.

Learn more about Mr. Russell’s impactful career at https://naacp.org/people/leon-w-russell