Ms Ifill will be succeeded by Janai Nelson, the LDF’s current Associate Director-Counsel, as President and Director-Counsel of the renowned organization founded by Thurgood Marshall in 1940.

Since 1957, the LDF has existed independently of the NAACP. Ms Ifill and Ms Nelson have committed their lives to racial justice and see directing LDF as the apex of that endeavour.

They will continue to work closely together during the transition phase to ensure LDF’s critical role in achieving racial and social justice throughout the country.

At Ms Ifill’s invitation, Ms Nelson returned to LDF in 2014 as Associate Director-Counsel.

Ms Nelson has also assisted in the development and execution of LDF’s strategic vision and the oversight of its programs while working closely with Ms Ifill.

So many emotions today. Pride at what I’ve been able to accomplish @NAACP_LDF⁩.Love for our amazing staff. Intense gratitude to my civil rights colleagues who have walked this walk w/me. Excitement abt the leadership of my sis ⁦@JNelsonLDF⁩. https://t.co/QfApVRMcs6

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) November 17, 2021

Janai Nelson is an attorney from the United States. She is currently the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s Associate Director-Counsel.

Nelson, a well-known expert on voting rights and election law, continues to publish cutting-edge research on domestic and international election law, race, and democratic philosophy.

Janai investigated the political disenfranchisement of people as a Fulbright Scholar at the Legal Resources Center in Accra, Ghana.

Nelson became a lawyer after receiving an NAACP LDF/Fried Frank Fellowship in 1998.

After graduating from law school, Janai clerked for the Honorable Theodore McMillian on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

The lawyer is a frequent speaker on civil rights, constitutional law, and election law at conferences and symposia.

Moreover has been mentioned in several publications as a potential federal judge candidate.