The Center Mourns the Loss of Vernon Jordan

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights mourns the passing of our founding board chair and fearless leader, Vernon Jordan. A son of Atlanta, Jordan was a leader in the civil rights movement in his roles as a law clerk to Donald Hallowell’s civil rights practice here and his leadership of the National Urban League in Washington, D.C. With brilliance and grit, Jordan worked to dissolve historic barriers for Black Americans aspiring to leadership in corporate America. He was a counselor to U.S. presidents and a mentor to hundreds of Black leaders in business, law, and politics. Throughout his life, he gave back to Atlanta, including offering considerable influence and credibility in establishing The Center as a place to study the impact of the civil rights movement, and nurture generations of rights advocates. Jordan was honored at The Center’s inaugural Power to Inspire Awards Gala. His impact and legacy will be felt by many generations to come.