Mfume steps down as leader of NAACP

Jet, Dec 20, 2004

Citing that his work for the organization is done, and his desire to spend more time with his family, Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the NAACP, is stepping down as head of the Baltimore-based association he has led since 1996.

"I never came to stay. I came to try to get a job done and to do it well," Mfume told JET about his decision to leave the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.

"Whenever I felt in my heart of hearts that that job had been done, then I would move on; nobody would have to ask me to get out of the way, and I would move on ahead willingly. I think I've done all I had to do. God gave me the ability to do it for nine years and gave me good sense to know when it's time to move on," he explained.

Mfume, 56, added that he felt good to have left the organization (which at one time was on the brink of extinction because of scandal and $3.2 million in debt, but now has stability and growth) in a better condition than he found it.

"It's been a good ride. I've enjoyed myself. I feel honored to have had this privilege to serve like this. I feel great about the organization and where it is ... I think everything will be fine," he told JET.

Mfume leaves the post on January 1, 2005. He has agreed to serve as a consultant to the NAACP until July 1, 2005. Dennis Hayes, general counsel, has been named as interim president and CEO while a national search for a new chief executive is conducted.

Julian Bond, chairman, NAACP National Board of Directors, commented: "Kweisi Mfume came to the NAACP when we were nearly bankrupt and our reputation under siege; he left sure reelection to Congress to help save the NAACP ... He has been one of the most effective spokespersons for justice and fair play. We are saddened by his departure, but wish him well in his future pursuits."

Mfume dismissed talk of infighting within the organization or any kind of rift between him and Bond, and stated: "In my heart of hearts I've known for the last couple of weeks that it's time for me to move on and to allow somebody else the opportunity to come in ..."

He continued: "So, I'm not leapfrogging out to another job. I'm not being run out on a rail. I don't have any health problems that are challenging me, and I'm not getting ready to run for some office. I just need a break. After nine years, to be in this business at this level, and to constantly live on airplanes and travel the country, while it's all very rewarding, you know at some point in time that you really have to make way for another person, fresh energy and another day to unfold."

In reflection, Mfume revealed to JET that he had no worries about being unemployed.

"After 13 years in radio, five years in TV, seven years in the city council, 10 years in the Congress, and nine years at the NAACP, I think it's all right," he states. "I'm gonna just rest, remember what it's like to go fishing again, spend time with my family and then when my head clears, and everything settles down, I'll look to see what other opportunities are out there ... in media, polities or business."

Mfume, whose adopted West African name translates to "conquering son of kings," began his career as a dashiki-clad popular radio talk show host and political activist in the 1970s and transformed himself into one of the nation's foremost civil rights leaders.

He served on the Baltimore City Council from 1979-1987 before he won a closely fought race to represent Baltimore's 7th district in the House of Representatives. Mfume was elected to four more terms in Congress and was leader of the Congressional Black Caucus before he stepped down to head the NAACP on February 20, 1996.