Leon W. Russell (born 1949/1950)^[1] is an African-American civil rights leader and a human rights executive. He was elected to succeed Roslyn Brock as chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board of directors on February 18, 2017.^[2][3]

Russell spent nearly four decades as the Director of the Office of Human Rights for Pinellas County in Clearwater, Florida, retiring in 2012.^[4][5] For his contributions to the improvement of equality and equity across the United States, Russell has received numerous civic awards and citations.^[6]

Russell has spent over four decades in various leadership capacities with the NAACP.^[7][8] Under his leadership, the NAACP has taken on environmental and climate justice as civil and human rights issues.^[9] In 2023, Russell presented Congressman Bennie Thompson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.^{[10][11][12][13]} In 2022, Russell presented Samuel L. Jackson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.^{[14][15][16][17]} In 2021, He presented Rev. James Lawson with the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award.^{[18][19][20][21]} Russell presented the NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award to congressman John Lewis in 2020.^[22] Russell believes in the well-being of America's children, serving on various boards to ensure their rights are protected.^[23] He led a campaign, with the assistance of former National presidents of the NAACP, to focus on bringing young adults into the organization to change the mindset of how people view the NAACP.^[24] As Chairman of the NAACP National board of directors, Russell is charged with setting policy for the National NAACP President and CEO to implement. He outlined the strategy in 2017.^[25] He spent time in Ohio urging young adults to get engaged in the Civil Rights movement.^[26]