by David Stokes

Special to the NNPA from the Atlanta Inquirer

 As members and supporters of the civil rights organization founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. and other clergy prepare for its annual convention in July, in Sanford, FL, the de’ja veau affect rings prominently for some as the fight to lead the group grows stronger and more fierce.

While the names of respective activists Ben Chavis Muhammad of North Carolina, and Ralph David Abernathy 3rd and Rev. Markel Hutchins of Atlanta lead the contingent to succeed Isaac Farris, Jr. as president/CEO of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), there is one name now among the list of finalists that is gaining momentum: Charles Steele, Jr.

In recent weeks, the former Alabama state senator’s name has crept into conversations among members in Atlanta and elsewhere. According to those familiar with the scenario, Steele, the organization’s president/CEO from 2005-09, after the resignation of Martin Luther King 3rd in 2003, is being promoted by various members to return as SCLC’s chief “to help restore credibility and bring about successful fundraising,” according to a member from Alabama who chose to remain anonymous for this story.

Additionally, another individual close to the situation surmised that Steele “is close to signing a contract to become the next president—and he is very much needed right at this point.”

When reached in his metro Atlanta office last week, however, Steele indicated “no commitment” to restore his presidency of SCLC. Nevertheless, Steele continued, “I’ve heard rumors from chapters…, but I would need to have serious conversation and consideration from the board of directors” to return to the office. Also, when questioned specifically on whether a contract was being prepared for his return, Steele laughed, saying, “you can’t go by the rumors out there.”

Although Steele resigned from SCLC three years ago to begin Charles Steele & Associates, a consulting firm located in East Point, GA, the 65 year old activist from Tuscaloosa, AL. has been a longtime activist for civil/human rights as well during his early days in Alabama.

Steele, a father of two and grandfather of one, rose through the ranks of SCLC in Alabama—”the cradle of the Confederacy”—where the modern-day civil rights movement began. He eventually ascended to become SCLC’s national vice president in the mid-’90s, thereby, becoming president/CEO after the interim presidency of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth (1922-2011) upon King 3rd leaving office.

Among Steele’s accomplishments were creating SCLC Conflict Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, advocating forthright conversation between adversaries, and, in 2007, commissioning the organization’s new four-story headquarters, at 320 Auburn Ave., NE. Also present for the ceremony was former President Bill Clinton, in Atlanta, during the group’s 50th annual convention. Additionally, a “growing movement” remains existent for Steele’s return, according to members, to basically “regroup with the organization and have take SCLC seriously as the great organization it is,” exclaimed one member from Florida. “We’ve got to stop the fighting among ourselves and let’s help the people move forward, together, for good jobs, decent healthcare and education and housing.”

While Steele is being encouraged to return, Isaac Farris, Jr. has not been seen in the Auburn Avenue national office in weeks to assist sustaining his administration. As the Rev. C.T. Vivian, at 88 and director of chapters and affiliates during King, Jr.’s administration, was named interim president last month, until the formal vote for a new chief takes place at the convention in Sanford, FL.

SCLC Members are politicking for their candidate. Chavis-Muhammad is the former national president/CEO of NAACP, as well as a member of 1960s’ “Wilmington 10’; Rev. Markel Hutchins is a 30-something activist from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and Abernathy 3rd is the

namesake of SCLC’s co-founder who will receive next month a Master’s in Biblical Studies and Doctorate of Theology from the North Carolina College of Theology. (Farris, Jr., age 50, and the son of King’s sister, Christine King Farris, did not return a reporter’s phone calls for comment.)  Nevertheless, at last week’s end, anticipation grows by members to determine whether Steele will decide to return to advance the group’s “to redeem the soul of America” mantra. “We are in need of strong leadership to move SCLC further into this Century,” one member from North Carolina said. “Whether it’s (Steele) or somebody else who is worthwhile to be our president,” the member continued, “SCLC must regain its position as an organization to fight injustice.”

Another member stated, “we cannot ignore the strong and inspiring convention by organization’s delegates. Steele indicated, too, although he has not been asked (at presstime) to attend the convention, the “possibility” exists for him to attend.