Forging ahead to strengthen race relations in a tenuous political sphere and champion financial reform and aid for homeowners facing foreclosure, NAACP President Ben Jealous, 37, has a lot on his plate. But his work has not gone unnoticed. Jealous, the youngest president of the NAACP, was honored by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in politics, under the age of 40.
“It’s an acknowledgment of the hard work this organization is doing to move the country forward,†says Jealous. It also helps to bring attention to the organization’s goals including its march on the nation’s capitol, Oct. 2. The one nation march “At its heart, [the march] has been about bringing this country back so we can work together.â€
The Oct. 25 print issue of Time features its 40 Under 40 Rising Stars of U.S. Politics list, highlighting those in the political and non-profit arena who are making strides. Wrote Time:
“[He] is steering the NAACP through an era marked by both the election of the first African-American President and rising racial tension, including a spat between the Tea Party movement and Jealous himself…â€
A contentious “spat†that seems to be growing as the organiztion calls for the Tea Party to excel racists from its ranks. The NAACP received a mysterious package at its headquarters, Monday. While the organization could not confirm if it was a death threat, Jealous told Blackenterprise.com
that the NAACP has been subject to intimidation tactics over the last few weeks.
The list also includes Mike Johnston, Colorado state senator and education advocate; Julian Castro, San Antonio Mayor, and Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting Democratic women to run for elected office.