Columbus civil rights attorney Sean Walton is the new president of the Columbus NAACP.
Walton was the only person who ran for the position. Walton has represented many clients who have taken police officers to court for violence they blamed on racism.
WOSU’s Debbie Holmes spoke with Walton about his goals for the Columbus NAACP chapter.
Debbie Holmes: When did you officially become president of the Columbus NAACP?
Sean Walton: Sometime in May, I got the word from the national office that we had the green light to be active and move forward, so my official swearing in is on Sunday evening, but at this point since about mid-May, I have been in the role trying to stand up the branch and get us reactive.
Debbie Holmes: What are your first priorities with the Columbus NAACP chapter and why?
Sean Walton: Glad you asked that question because many folks wonder what our plans are. More than anything, we have to get membership up, because that's power, that's networking and that is how we build a movement. So, our goal is to recruit, let folks know that we're here and that our plan is to be a powerful force for good. And beyond that, every consequential movement in history, every civil rights movement has been a coordinated effort. That requires strategy, that requires community building and consensus building. And so, our goal is to not duplicate any work that's already going on, but to amplify the work of certain groups that are actively fighting for Black people here in Columbus and to just make sure that we help amplify their efforts.
Debbie Holmes: Why did the national NAACP remove former president Nana Watson in 2025? And what problems did you find that you need to deal with in the wake of that?
Sean Walton: I'll defer any comment on that to the national office. I believe that they can best speak to that, but what I will say is that, you know, over the past few years in Columbus period, not just with this organization, we have not had a level of coordination with the groups that are doing social justice work. And so more than anything, it's been relationship building, making sure that you know I'm meeting with other leaders in the city who are doing this work and those who, you know, may be adversaries in terms of the work that we're doing. But just making sure that we have a steady foundation so that as things pop up, like attacks on voting rights, that we're ready to be responsive in the moment and to fight for people.
Debbie Holmes: Your law firm represents family members of people killed by police officers. You're also in an active feud with (Brian Steel), the president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Columbus. Will the Columbus NAACP get involved in either of these issues more under your leadership? And if so, how will your existing involvement in these issues impact the NAACP's involvement?
Sean Walton: That's a great question. I'll just say that anything that involves my firm, I will, you know, recuse myself as president when it comes to the NAACP speaking on that. Our vice presidents will step in and in those matters, but, overall, I don't see much conflict there. And I will say that I don't view myself in a feud with Brian Steel. I know that some folks do. Brian Steel represents an institution that historically is at odds with the work that the NAACP does, and that, you know, the groups that fight for police accountability, you know, the work that they do.
So, I have great relationships with police officers, with law enforcement, with police chiefs across central Ohio. I've been talking to them, building with them and we're excited to help bridge the gap between police and community. So, you know Brian Steel and the FOP represent one segment of policing and you know beyond that I consult with Axon, the leading law enforcement technology manufacturer in the world. I'm one of 15 people in the world on their ethics and equity advisory council. And so, I have, you know, what folks don't understand, but, you know, once they get more information, they realize that I really have a breadth of knowledge within law enforcement and the Brian Steel matter is really a blip on the radar to me.
Debbie Holmes: Why is the NAACP still important today and will you be trying to expand its reach in central Ohio?
Sean Walton: Our goal is to be one of the best branches in the country. And we have a unique opportunity here to come with some fresh and innovative ideas that are even unique to the national organization, in my opinion. And we had an opportunity to, like I said, coordinate the folks who are doing great work already. The ACLUs of the world, Legal Aid, the People's Justice Project, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Black Men Build, 100 Black Men, the list goes on. And to me, if the work of these groups is more coordinated and strategic and aligned, then our collective power will be felt like never before.
