Southern Poverty Law Center names an interim president after two top leaders exit
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Reporting from Montgomery, Ala. — The Southern Poverty Law Center has named an interim leader who says the watchdog organization is looking “to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.”
The organization announced Tuesday that Karen Baynes-Dunning would serve as interim president. Baynes-Dunning, a former judge, has served on the SPLC board since 2017.
The move follows upheaval at the organization best-known for monitoring extremist groups.
The SPLC last month announced it had dismissed its founder and prominent civil rights attorney Morris Dees over unspecified conduct. Longtime President Richard Cohen also announced he was stepping down.
The SPLC has hired an outside group to review its workplace practices.
Baynes-Dunning says the SPLC will remain a leader at tackling discrimination, combating hate and extremism, and promoting anti-bias in public schools.
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