The NAACP?s choice of a 35-year-old to head the civil rights group represents a “generational statement” that the organization hopes will appeal to young black Americans.
With Benjamin Todd Jealous at the helm, the Baltimore-based NAACP can attract more black Americans younger than 40, which will help it overcome two of its most daunting challenges: gaining traction on the local level and raising more money, said Ronald Walters, a government professor and director of the African American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park.
“They?re trying to make something of a generational statement by having someone like that,” Walters said. “Obviously, he?s going to bond with both adults and the younger generation more effectively.”
The NAACP has about 300,000 members. Bruce Gordon, the previous president and CEO, set a goal of 1 million members, but he resigned in March 2007 after less than two years, citing friction with the board.
Jealous comes to the NAACP from the Rosenberg Foundation, a private, California-based group that fights for human and civil rights, where he has served as president since 2005. The NAACP selected Jealous on Saturday, making him the youngest leader in its 99-year history.
The 64-member board was reportedly divided over Jealous. The Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, 47, was considered a top competitor for the position, but he wanted to remain at Friendship-West Baptist Church, the 12,000-member church he leads in south Dallas, while serving as NAACP president and CEO.
The Rev. Wendell Anthony, a board member from Detroit, said he backed Haynes but would need to “get to know” Jealous, whom he described as “very capable” and having “a great deal of potential.”
Walters, who met Jealous when they both worked for the National Black Leadership Forum, said Jealous? age would not hurt his ability to lead the NAACP.
“For a young man, he?s got a wide network of contacts,” said Walters, former deputy manager for The Rev. Jesse Jackson?s 1984 presidential campaign.
“That was impressive to me. That?s one reason why when I looked at the competitors he had, I said, ?There may be people on the board who wanted a minister, but for someone who was ready to step in, Ben was far and away the best.? ”
