Ben Jealous, 35, named new NAACP president

My buddy, Errin Haines of the Associated Press, has the story:

"The NAACP board of directors has chosen Ben Jealous, a former news executive and lifelong activist, as the organization's next president and the youngest in its 99-year history.

"The 64-member board met and voted in Baltimore on Friday and plans to formally announce its decision on Saturday at a noon press conference.
NAACP national spokesman Richard J. McIntire confirmed the vote with The Associated Press early Saturday after the 8-hour closed door meeting.

"Though he is not a politician, minister or civil rights icon, in Jealous the organization gets a young but connected leader familiar with black leadership and social justice issues. The 35-year-old takes the helm as the NAACP's 17th president just months before the organization's centennial anniversary, as the group grapples with dwindling membership and looks to boost its coffers.

"There are a small number of groups to whom all black people in this country owe a debt of gratitude, and the NAACP is one of them," Jealous told The Associated Press in a telephone interview before the vote. "There is work that is undone ... the need continues and our children continue to be at great risk in this country."

But, as usual with the NAACP, there was drama.

Multiple NAACP board sources tell me it was a contentious debate to select Jealous as president of the NAACP. It was an eight-hour process that began at 7 p.m. and ended at 3 a.m.

The vote was 34-21. One board member said that "when the tally was announced and it was conveyed that Ben would be the next CEO, no one clapped or celebrated."

Another said "when we left the room, many were in disbelief."

Those who didn't support Jealous say he was marked as the primary choice of board chairman Julian Bond, who began calling board members two weeks ago to line up support.

There was vigorous discussion to postpone the vote to allow the board to hear from the other two finalists, but that effort was beaten back by those who backed Jealous on the board.

Be on the lookout for other board members revealing details of the boardroom battle.

He may be president, but already Jealous already faces his first hurdle: bringing healing to a fractious NAACP board at a time when the organization is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

Comments

[colacola3]

Just wondering?? Why does our NAACP has 64 board members?

[colacola3]

Love (I think) the NAACP. They were the only organization that we had in rural South Carolina in the 1950's 1960's who pulled off some amazing/not publicized victories for equality and justice; however, the NAACP reminds me of my alma mater board from SCSU. Enough already, let the leader, lead/manager and hands off from the board. You will be much better for it.

[Anniemae]

First thing we all need to do is pray for him. Then he needs to be thoroughly oriented to the NAACP including providing him with a collection of "must read" books on its history, methodologies, and issues; a one-on-one tutorial on its constitution and by-laws; a review of controling resolutions; and in-depth review of its stated and functional organizational and operational structures; a summary of pitfalls and management problems faced by other executive directors,and ceos beginning with Ben Chavis.

The Board has a responsibility to train and guide him, and not through him out there to the wolves depending on his own world view, experiences and skills. No job prepares you to lead the NAACP. Its an instant place in history, and a unique leadership role in our country and the world.

[Michael Davis-Dallas Progress]

Nothing against Mr. Jealous, but I'm disappointed. The NAACP missed out.

Why did they drag Dr. Haynes all the way through the process, knowing that he would not leave his position as pastor at his church here in Dallas?

Was it to make the search seem legit, when Mr. Jealous was reported by George Curry to be the favorite of Julian Bond? Or was it to grab attention that the NAACP was trying to be progressive by making such a fiery and intelligent pastor a finalist. We'll never know.

It's like me telling you on my job application that I want to stay in New York because of my family, and then you offer me a job in Canada. What did you THINK I would say? But hey, you get the "out" of saying that you offered me a job.

As Curry stated in his article:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080306_Looking_for_the_NAACPs_next_leader.html

"Though Jealous is smart, very organized, and on the right side of most social-justice issues, I never pictured him as head of a major civil rights organization - and still don't. Jealous is uninspiring, an unimpressive orator, and he would easily be overshadowed by other figures already on the civil rights stage."

Dr. Haynes took his church from 500 to 8,000+. Imagine what he could have done at the NAACP.

Dr. Haynes would have brought the fire to ignite a younger generation into membership and stewardship into the NAACP. He likely would have ended up like Bruce Gordon - someone that tried to revolutionize the group but met a wall of resistance.

[Mssylady]

I am so tired of the unnecessary politics and divisive spirit that still plagues our organization. Yes, I am a Gold, Life + everything else member and my parents and aunts and uncles were until death very generous members of this great organization. But all this infighting has become distractive and is causing members to pull back. What are you folks doing with all the donations made to the organization? I don't see real support where needed when Black people have legitimate racist complaints. I am disappointed in the leadership as well as the Board. STOP acting like crabs and run the race like thurobreds in the race against racism! And what are you doing to bring more BLACK members into the orgaanization. And our youth, they need to be activated into action. Not just talent, but pounding the pavement to recruit. Get these young people into home meetings, school projects and mentoring programs. COME ON NAACP Board...GET ON THE STICK OR GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!

[Jan W.]

Might there be more effective governance and less opportunity for in-house
squabbling if this once-mighty organization reduced the size of its board?
The board membership is embarrassly unwieldly and far too wide-spread in philosophies, ideologies, and personal agendas to come together on anything. We need the NAACP as never before in our country's history (our thoughts of being empowered and on the way up notwithstanding), and West Virginia primary has shown us that. I pray with every fiber of my being that the organization and its leaders have the vision and commitment to put guts before personal glory.

[Mssylady]

Oh, and as for that question of 64 Board members...that is rediculous. 10 of them can't get along, 64 is crazy. It all began to crumble when we allowed White people in the mix. Say what you want, but that is my opinion!

[Jay in DFW]

Anniemae,

I beg to differ with your assessment of Dr. Haynes' potential effectiveness as CEO for a few reasons. First, as you stated, Dr. Haynes is a Pastor of a congregation with over 8k members. It is virtually impossible for him, or anyone else for that matter, to be optimally effective in both roles if he holds them simultaneously - his Church would suffer, and no membership should have to "share" its Pastor with an organization as demanding as the NAACP will be. MIght I remind you, the NAACP is in a state of COMPLETE disarray and utter chaos.

Secondly, while I have high regard for Pastor Haynes, he has no pedigree of corporate leadership - his experience is limited to the realm of religious organizations. The NAACP status quo (unfortunately) mandates a leader that can build coalitions with organizations of the corporate type. Those organizations are the source of the funding the NAACP must secure in order to mitigate the impact of its fall from grace over the last 25 years.

Lastly, Pastor Haynes, though well-respected and renown, has thrust himself into the midst of the Jeremiah Wright debacle. While I dont necessarily disagree with Pastor Haynes' sentiments, his position on Pastor Wright's actions can be divisive and thats the LAST thing the NAACP.

In my opinion, its a good thing that Pastor Haynes was not selected.

[BrendaF]

Posted by: Jay in DFW | May 17, 2008 at 10:41 AM

Jay,

I think you want to direct your comments to Michael Davis-Dallas Progress, not Anniemae. The poster's name is shown under the comment - I think the dotted line throws some people off. It would be nice if the line showed up under the poster's name instead of above. Enough of my .02 - back to the conversation.

[simplegal]

Rev. Haynes also went back and forth about whether or not he would give up his church...I agree that he could bring a lot to the NAACP - and still can, but not in the position of Pres/CEO. The NAACP has gone the preacher route, politian route, and corporate route...finally it chooses the younger route! Now its time for us to do our part.

[Charles....]

OK NAACP......stop like you're Rawandan.

[taolen00]

Rethink your Board organizational development if you want to become a viable organization in the 21st century. First you need to reduce your Board to not more than 12 to 15 folks because you need to get accountability for results. Next your Board should have the following categories:youth;money;old school;political;church, and 1 white. Third, you need to lay out 1 or 2 things that must be done within 1 year and the result should be a quantifiable deliverable with metrics. Peace.

[simplegal]

Also...Bruce Gordon wasen't met with a wall. That man's heart just wasent in it. He was all corporate, and enjoyed the title but wouldn't get his hands dirty. I cant even imagine how people got caught up in the social justice vs. social service distraction. We have social service on every other corner in our neighborhoods...what we dont have is someone to fight for us to ensure our rights, and throw out jim/jane crows injustices. I said all that to say...Rev. Haynes made a choice to throw in his hat. I just wish people were being a little more honest about what was said during the interview. FYI--He would have never made it that far without mentioning he would give up his church.

[H Arnold]

I am a baby boomer. Nevertheless I am glad to see the NAACP go the route of youth. I believe Mr. Jealous will make a difference if he is allowed to run the organization. Youth identify with youth and if the NAACP does not bring in more youth then the organization will never make it past 120 years....Mr. Jealous I am sure will bring in fresher ideas and personally touch everyone young and a bit older. My best to Mr. Jealous and the NAACP. We thank you for 100 years of service and much success in the future because the causes you fight for are necessary for everyone.

[Michael Davis-Dallas Progress]

I'm willing to give Ben a chance. It's not his fault that some of us feel the way we do.

I am curious about his statement in the AP article that said "his plans for the group include ensuring high voter turnout among blacks in the November election and pushing civil rights."

Barack Obama will ensure high black voter turnout, as he has all over his country. Work on the other stuff.

Here's a suggestion list:

*Dunbar Village

*Sean Bell shooting and others

*Philly Police beating

*Getting more black bloggers to be able to cover the 2008 DNC from the convention floor. We got ONE state blogger out of 50 states although we helped to start the national Obama movement. And that was after people in the DNC selection process approached us to apply to the state blogger pool facilitate diversity.

*Thinning out the 65-member board (wait, can't do that).

(Roland, if you want to know more about the DNC process let me know)

[Taiji]

The NAACP is no longer used to defend civil rights. Rather, the NAACP is a political arm for people like Andrew Young, Bob Johnson, John Lewis, Tavis Smiley, Charles Rangel, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and other self-haters and racists.

[Taiji]

Commentary: Race Card? The Only One on the Table is the White Supremacy Card – and Clinton Played It
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
By: Gregory Kane

Now she’s trotted out her white supremacist card again by making a subtle appeal for white Democrats who’ve NEVER voted for a black candidate for any office in their lives to vote as they’ve always voted. Black conservatives, for years, have been trying to tell black folks that we were only of use to white Democrats as long as white Democrats ran the party. Heck, Malcolm X said it long before we did.

Somewhere Brother Malcolm must be smiling. It took over 40 years, but Hillary Clinton has come along to prove how right he was.

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/kane515

[yadi]

Blacks can be racists against the black race. Juan Williams, Pastor James Manning, Andrew Young, John Lewis, Charles Rangel, Tavis Smiley, Hillary and Bill Clinton use the NAACP for working against the black race.

[Cherry Glover]

I live in metro Detroit, Michigan and the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP is sad it is lead by a crook Rev. Wendell Anthony who will do and say anything if the price is right. He has been bought an sold by Bill & Hillary Clinton. This man has said nothing about Barack Obama running for president. Until people like Wendell Anthony, Julian Bond, Andrew Young, John Lewis, Charles Rangle are still around I will never join the NAACP.

[Cherry Glover]

Taiji, you left some names off that list they are: Rev. Wendell Anthony, Shelia Jackson-Lee, Stephnie Jones-Tubbs, Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick, Kwame Kilpatrick, Joel Ferguson, Hester Wheeler.

[Dareel Jones]

"Until people like Wendell Anthony, Julian Bond, Andrew Young, John Lewis, Charles Rangle are still around I will never join the NAACP."

Obama's candidacy has exposed the rot and traitors in black communities around this nation. Andrew Young, John Lewis, and Charles Rangel are the enemies of the black people. Their tragic end is near - 2009.

[beverly terrell]

If he was J bond's choice, sorry. Now that j. bond has shown his true color, with men like him, the NAACP probably won't survive. I know I won't be renewing membership. Bond should stop telling people he marched with MLK, jr. Martin wouldn't have stabbed a brother in the back even if he disagreed with him. These self proclaim leaders have shown themselves to be self serving. Im glad they have been exposed, but sorry it had to be through the NAACP. They have done great things. Perhaps the NAACP has outlived it usefulness.

[kathe]

GOSH OH GOSH. I am an african american female 64 years old. And I have to say, this is the most wonderful wed site I have seen in years. To hear from black folks about black folks. I guess you think I am very behind the times or naive but I just ran across this discussion and I am so happy to see all of us do not think the CLINTONS are the best thing to happen to black folks and America!!!!!! Enough of the Clintons, their racism, their divisiveness.

I guess it is fair to say that you reading this then know for sure why Michelle Obama said what she said about her pride in America. How the heck can you be proud when you are hung at will, denied and beaten if you even think about protesting why you cannot obtain the same life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that every other American has been afforded in the past and still daily gets!!!!!!

God Bless

[kathe]

GOSH OH GOSH. I am an african american female 64 years old. And I have to say, this is the most wonderful wed site I have seen in years. To hear from black folks about black folks. I guess you think I am very behind the times or naive but I just ran across this discussion and I am so happy to see all of us do not think the CLINTONS are the best thing to happen to black folks and America!!!!!! Enough of the Clintons, their racism, their divisiveness.

I guess it is fair to say that you reading this then know for sure why Michelle Obama said what she said about her pride in America. How the heck can you be proud when you are hung at will, denied and beaten if you even think about protesting why you cannot obtain the same life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that every other American has been afforded in the past and still daily gets!!!!!!

God Bless

[Dareel Jones]

The NAACP is a joke. It has been a joke since the Clintons used it as their source of self-haters like John Lewis, Charles Rangel, and Andrew Young. John Lewis said that not supporting Hillary and Bill is worse than being beaten on the head during his match in 1960s. In other words, supporting Hillary is more important than supporting the cause of the black people; supporting Obama as the first black president is not as important as getting political appointments through those who play race cards and use black folks as second-class citizens.

The NAACP has been hijacked by self-serving thugs and criminals, period.