Rev. Al Sharpton, president/founder of the National Action Network (NAN), this week released a statement on the passing of Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, famed national civil rights leader and the former chief of staff to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“The passing of Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker marks the transition of one of one of the greatest social justice and theological minds of our time. Walker was the first chairman of the National Action Network and a man that mentored me as a civil rights and social justice leader, and while I am saddened by his passing, I am committed to carrying on his legacy. It is both a personal and global loss to me. May he rest in peace.”
In a book on NAN’s history written by Jamal Watson, Dr. Walker is quoted as saying the following about NAN: “When I got involved, NAN was still just an idea,” Walker recalled. “I helped to give the organization some infrastructure. I helped to fund the organization out of my own pocket.”
Rev. Sharpton credits Dr. Walker with helping bring structure to NAN, bringing him to meet Nelson Mandela in South Africa, and traveling with him to other places around the world. He also brought in preachers from around the country to work with NAN and serve on its board.
