For Immediate ReleaseContact: Francella Chinchilla, 202-587-4944 fchinchilla@rabengroup.com
Civil Rights, Labor, and Tech Leaders Applaud Kapor Center for Social Impact’s Newest Partner Benjamin Todd Jealous
(Oakland, CA)- Earlier today, the Kapor Center for Social Impact announced a newpartner Benjamin Todd Jealous.
Below are statements from leaders in the Civil Rights, Labor, and Tech communties expressing strong support for this announcement:
“Ben Jealous has dedicated his life to advancing civil rights and narrowing the gaps that prevent opportunity and access for all Americans,” said Julian Bond, Chairman Emeritus of the NAACP Board of Directors. “This partnership with the Kapor Center takes an innovative approach to tackling crucial issues of inequality, and I look forward to watching him impress and inspire us in this role, as he did at the NAACP.”
“The partnership between the Kapors and Ben Jealous is tremendously positive news, both for Silicon Valley and for the goal of creating a more level playing field for all Americans,” said Eric Ries, entrepreneur and author of the New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Business.
“Having had the pleasure to work side by side with Ben for many years, I have admired his results-driven commitment to empowering communities of color and I can say with certainty that we will all benefit from his leadership in Silicon Valley,” said Janet Murguia, President and CEO, NCLR. “And we look forward to working with Ben in his next endeavor–making sure that all of our children have the opportunity to strive in the technology sector and beyond.”
“Ben Jealous and the Kapors are going to make an incredibly powerful team,” said Charles Hudson, Partner with SoftTech VC. “Their combined backgrounds have the potential to create a real, sustained, meaningful and needed impact in Silicon Valley.”
“Ben is one of the greatest coalition builders I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” saidMary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union, “From working families to women’s rights, from the rights of immigrants to the dignity of LGBT people, he helped expand and enhance the human rights community. I’m very excited to see what will be accomplished when he brings his passion and vision to creating true social impact to the tech startup world.”
“Ben Jealous was an incredible partner to Voto Latino when he led the NAACP and we look forward to working with him at the Kapor Center as he focuses on diversifying Silicon Valley. This work is so important to the entire country,” said Maria Teresa Kumar, Founding Executive Director, Voto Latino.
“Ben oversaw a renaissance at the NAACP that bridged generational differences and brought all stakeholders together to shepherd the organization into the 21st century,” said Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “As the technology sector continues to drive the U.S. economy, having an experienced social justice leader in Silicon Valley will help ensure that more Americans can benefit from the jobs and opportunities available there. Ben’s taking a visionary next step and the Kapor Center for Social Impact has just gained a very important asset.”