‘Legacy, Leadership and Love’: The SCLC in 2025

August 27, 2025

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has appointed DeMark Liggins as its new president and CEO during its 65th annual convention in Atlanta last summer. Liggins, who previously held multiple leadership positions within the organization, follows Dr. Charles Steele Jr. and takes over an organization with a storied civil rights legacy dating back to its founding by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Who is affected

SCLC chapters across 57 locations in the United States
Communities served by the SCLC's programs and activism
Poor and disenfranchised populations targeted by the organization's initiatives
Residents of the six metropolitan areas that will be visited during the Poverty Tour of 2025
Communities facing issues of wealth inequality, police reform needs, fair housing challenges, medical discrimination, and education access limitations

What action is being taken

DeMark Liggins is leading the SCLC as its newly appointed president and CEO
The SCLC is working to strengthen its chapter network and expand its organizational footprint
The organization is positioning itself at the "forefront" of voter education and organizing
The SCLC is planning the Poverty Tour of 2025 to address wealth disparities in cities without SCLC chapters
The organization is continuing to address various social justice issues including wealth inequality, police reform, fair housing practices, medical discrimination, and access to education

Why it matters

The SCLC has a historic legacy in American civil rights, having played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement under Dr. King's leadership
The organization has produced numerous civil rights leaders beyond Dr. King, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. C.T. Vivian, and Dr. Bernard Lafayette
The SCLC's focus on addressing poverty continues work that began with the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, which declared poverty a national human rights issue
The organization's continued activism addresses persistent social and economic inequalities across America
The SCLC's approach combines historical legacy with contemporary action to address current challenges facing communities

What's next

The Poverty Tour of 2025 will visit six metropolitan areas to address economic challenges
Liggins will engage with stakeholders including elected officials, business leaders, and faith community members during the tour
The tour will focus on specific issues including wages, housing, education, wealth disparities, and access to capital
The SCLC aims to expand its footprint to reach more Americans and neighborhoods
The organization will continue initiatives centered on love as an active principle in community work

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint