By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
NAACP’s President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous in an interview with USA Today discusses his plan to resign effective December 31, 2013. Jealous was the youngest leader selected to lead the historic civil rights organization and his tenure has not been without internal struggles with the old guard.
However, by nearly any measuring stick, Jealous will leave the NAACP in a better position than he found it. The USA Today article points out:
“Under Jealous, the donor base has grown from 16,422 in 2007, just before he started, to 132,543 last year. Revenue has grown from $25.7 million in 2008 to $46 million in 2012. Out of a total score of 70, independent non-profit reviewing organization Charity Navigator gives the NAACP 51.42 for finances and 70 for accountability and transparency.”
In addition to the numbers, the perception of the storied organization has improved, likely aided by Jealous’ work on issues such as the murder of Travyon Martin and gay rights. The article ends with Jealous’ suggestion the next leader might be a woman, however chairwoman Roslyn Brock indicates no successor plan is in place.
Do you think the old guard civil rights leaders will pounce on opportunity to select a leader more to their liking?Â
