A key civil rights leader in the state says he has had enough.
Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, president of the Baltimore City branch of the NAACP, has informed the executive board of the oldest civil rights organization in the city that he will resign July 24.
“I?m burned out, I need a rest,” he said. “When I took the job, I told them I would give those two years, and I?ve given my best.”
Stressed by the demands on his time, Cheatham said he needed to take a break from the grueling duties of the volunteer post. He also works as an elections specialist with the National Labor Relations Board.
“My family and wife have been verysupportive, but I?m never home,” he said.
Cheatham has served as president of the Baltimore branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People since January 2005. During his tenure, the branch was twice recognized as one of the top chapters in the country by the national organization. In 2006, Cheatham won a Fullwood Foundation award for his service to the community.
Recently, The Examiner profiled the community activist in a feature, “This ?Doc? is always in,” but Cheatham said the article has only increased the demands on his time.
“Since it came out, the calls to my cell phone have tripled,” he said.
With his last day with the organization on the horizon, Cheatham said he was looking forward to other opportunities.
“I hope this is a wake-up call to the membership that we need more support,” he said.
