In the wake of NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous’ resignation from the national association, local chapter leaders in North Carolina say they are not worried about the future of left-leaning political advocacy.
Jealous, who is the youngest NAACP president in history, stepped down from his post in order to spend more time with his wife and two young children, who are 7 and 13 months old, said Michelle Nealy, NAACP spokeswoman.
His resignation comes one year into his second three-year contract, but will not take effect until Dec. 31, Nealy said. Jealous also said he hopes to pursue opportunities in academics in order to train the next generation of leaders.
“I am proud to leave the association financially sound, sustainable, focused and more powerful than ever,” Jealous said in a statement.
N.C. NAACP President, the Rev. William Barber II, who led the recent Moral Monday protests as the face of the progressive movement in the state, said he’s currently focused on thanking Jealous for his service.
Barber declined to answer any questions regarding the possibility of announcing his candidacy for Jealous’ position.
“President Jealous listened to us and walked with us consistently,” Barber said in a statement.
Still, he said in an interview that one man does not drive the NAACP movement, so the organization’s national agenda will not change after Jealous’ departure.
The Rev. Robert Campbell, president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP branch, said Barber has been the guiding force for other state chairs because he is willing to go where the issues are.
