Leon Jenkins, Los Angeles NAACP head resigns amid Sterling controversy

Leon Jenkins. PHOTO/File

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 Jenkins rescinded that offer this week after a recording surfaced on which Sterling disparaged black men.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.”

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