Isaac Newton Farris, left, talks to U.S. Rep. John Lewis. (Photo: AP Photo/John Amis)

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has named Isaac Newton Farris Jr., nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., president of the organization.

Newton Farris’s appointment follows the death of former SCLC president Rev. Howard Creecy last month.

Newton Farris previously served as vice president of the organization before accepting the president position. In light of Newton Farris’ appointment, the SCLC also announced that Louisiana attorney Randal L. Gaines will serve as acting vice president and Don Cash, a Washington, D.C., labor official, will be vice chairman. Bernard LaFayette Jr., co-founder of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, will replace Sylica Tucker as national board chairman.

Dr. King helped found the SCLC in 1957.