FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
For media inquiries: media@scsj.org; office: 919-323-3380
Durham, N.C.— The Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) is proud to announce that Meredith Horton, a seasoned attorney and accomplished leader in the social justice community, will join the organization as its Deputy Executive Director. Meredith brings to this position more than 15 years of organizing, legal advocacy, program management and grant-making experience on a range of social justice issues. In this new role, Meredith will assume a portfolio of leadership responsibilities that include helping with organizational strategy, staff development, along with budget and operational systems. Her appointment begins October 21.
Dr. Kareem Crayton, Executive Director of SCSJ, said: “We simply could not have been more fortunate to recruit such a thoughtful, talented, and caring individual to join the leadership team of the Southern Coalition. Meredith’s talents are multiple, and she has carved an impeccable career path in the legal and non-profit spheres that exemplifies poise, creativity, and integrity. She is exactly the ideal person at the right time to help us realize our vision for SCSJ’s growth during its next decade of service to the South, which requires leaders with an unyielding passion for achieving justice, with a keen ability to support others, and who are unafraid to ask hard questions. Meredith will be a key part of our formula to sustain the growth trajectory of our organization, and I’m very eager to see all of her skills at work.”
Meredith arrives at SCSJ following her service as a principal at the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to that, Meredith served as the Associate Legal Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama, where she worked collaboratively to design and implement strategic initiatives to increase the effectiveness and impact of SPLC’s work. She was also part of the organization’s senior leadership team and served as a thought-partner to senior leaders on management, personnel and programmatic matters.
Earlier in her career, Meredith spent three election cycles building and leading an election monitoring program for the Democratic Party of Georgia. Her experience also includes designing and leading grant-making systems at the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal aid programs. While at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C., Meredith was involved in litigation, advocacy, and public education on consumer protection and voting rights issues. Meredith’s experience also includes four years as an organizer and advocate on consumer protection, environmental, and public education issues. This work involved developing strategic advocacy campaigns and strengthening and expanding community partnerships.
In describing her feelings about this new position, Meredith stated: “I am excited and honored to join SCSJ to help build on its stellar record of racial and social justice work in the South and to help shape the vision and agenda for its next decade of service. I look forward to working with SCSJ’s staff and partners to create meaningful and transformative change in collaboration with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities. In making SCSJ my new home, I plan to bring my personal commitments to foster creative, effective social justice organizations with strong communityties and to develop and support talented advocates.”
Meredith practiced law in the private sector, focusing on employee benefits and executive compensation at Venable LLP after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College.
Members of the media interested in speaking with Dr. Kareem Crayton or Meredith Horton about this posting should contact the SCSJ Communications Office at media@scsj.org or 919-323-3380. Each is available to speak about this appointment, the evolving work of the Southern Coalition, existing programs as well as upcoming opportunities.
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