News of the country’s preeminent civil rights organization’s election of its new president has been met with positives since the announcement was made over the weekend. At age 35, Ben Jealous will become the youngest person to lead the NAACP in its 99-year history; and Pittsburgh has a tie to this new, rising national leader.

BEN JEALOUS

In 2002 Jealous, a native of California, married Lia, daughter of David and Cecelia Epperson of Point Breeze. Both Lia and Jealous have strong advocacy backgrounds. Epperson proudly notes, “with their education and experience, both could have written their own ticket in the private sector, they both choose to use their talents to serve and empower others.”

The Courier took an informal poll of some community activists for their thoughts on the historic announcement.

Esther Bush, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh:

“I am very elated and pleased that (the national NAACP board) took their time in the selection. I have every confidence he will do an exemplary job with a proven professional track record —he’s a Rhodes Scholar, a former Black newspaper journalist and executive director of the National Newspaper Publisher’s Association. I have every confidence in his leadership abilities and qualification.”

DAVID EPPERSON

K. Chase Patterson, board member —youth director, NAACP Pittsburgh Branch:

“I believe this is an amazing stride for the NAACP as well as the African-American community as a whole. I am excited at what this means for my generation of leaders. But what we must realize is that Mr. Jealous is a skilled leader and has the demonstrated the necessary characteristics to carry the organization to the next level. I’m just as hopeful that as time passes we will see more young professional leaders taking the helm of our historically African-American leadership organizations and helping to reinvigorate and transform the Civil Rights Movement. This is a good day in African-American history.”

M. Gayle Moss, president and CEO, NAACP Pittsburgh Branch:

“I am pleased that a new president has been chosen. Ben Jealous joins Roslyn Brock, vice chairperson of the NAACP board of directors, on the front line of the NAACP. They provide fresh faces to the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.”

Tim Stevens, chairman, Black Political Empowerment Project:

“There is a most wonderful local connection to the newly selected president of the National NAACP. Ben Jealous is the son-in-law of David and Cecelia Epperson of Pittsburgh. I am happy to see the national office make such a solid statement with regard to its future. The selection of a 35-year-old with a mix of skilled administrative leadership and a history of advocacy, which Ben Jealous brings to the table, might be just the ticket to infuse a new level of enthusiasm for this nation’s oldest and boldest civil right’s organization. This selection will hopefully say to the “under-50” population: ‘We need you and we want you!’ This is certainly the direction ... needed and a direction (that) has the possibility of creating a new and more vibrant NAACP. My hope is that NAACP branches throughout the nation will do what they can to emulate such a direction of younger leadership. The goal should be to create a mix of leadership of all ages to allow the NAACP to represent the various views and thoughts of those throughout the communities of color, as well as our white partners who have a belief in freedom, equality and equity. The presence of youth leadership, however, must be a top priority of the NAACP.”

David Epperson (Jealous’ father-in-law):

“My reaction is very positive and very supportive. He’s done a very good job as president of the Rosenberg Foundation and has held other positions. I’m pleased and proud that he’s been elected to lead the NAACP, the flagship of the Civil Rights Movement to which we all owe a debt.”