Cornell Brooks

Cornell Brooks, NAACP CEO: Talks at GS Session Highlights

Cornell Brooks

Ronell Brooks, the 18th president of the NAACP and a fourth-generation AME minister, leverages a legacy of civil rights activism to address contemporary challenges such as police killings and the erosion of voting protections following *Shelby v. Holder*. Operating through a network of 2,000 volunteer-run branches, Brooks recently led thousands of miles of marches to advocate for criminal justice reform and the establishment of an affirmative constitutional right to vote. The organization currently prioritizes expanding voting access across diverse demographics by countering disenfranchisement tactics that disproportionately affect young people, minorities, and people with disabilities.