Wade Henderson (Sp)

Wade Henderson is the Principal of Wade J. Henderson, LLC. Henderson serves as an advisor to major corporations and non-profits on matters relating to civil and human rights. Henderson is currently the interim president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund. Henderson is well known for his expertise on a wide range of civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights issues, and is the author of numerous articles on civil rights and public policy. After taking the helm of The Leadership Conference in 1996, he worked diligently to address emerging policy issues of concern to the civil and human rights community and to strengthen the effectiveness of the coalition, serving in that role until 2017. Under his stewardship, The Leadership Conference became one of the nation's most effective organizations in advocating for progressive civil and human rights policies. Henderson currently serves on the University of the District of Columbia Foundation Board; FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion; the Board of Directors of the Center for Responsible Lending; and the Board of Trustees of the Educational Testing Service. He recently retired as the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law's first Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. Chair of Public Interest Law. Henderson is a graduate of Howard University and the Rutgers University School of Law, and holds honorary doctorates from CUNY Queens College School of Law and Gettysburg College. He is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and the US Supreme Court.