Civil Rights Activist Vernon Jordan Has Died At 85

Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/File

Civil rights leader Vernon Jordan has died at the age of 85.

#BREAKING: Civil Rights activist & former adviser to Pres. Clinton, Vernon Jordan has died at 85, @CBSMMiller confirms.

His daughter, Vickee Jordan Adams, tells @CBSNews: "My father passed away last night around 10p surrounded by loved ones his wife and daughter by his side." pic.twitter.com/JXSyp7SZMO

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 2, 2021

Jordan fought against school segregation in the 1960s and to advance work opportunities for people of color. After surviving a white supremacist’s assassination attempt in 1980, he became a close advisor to ex-President Clinton.

The civil rights activist also studied law at Howard University. He was a field director for the NAACP and became president of the National Urban League.