Benjamin Jealous

Benjamin Jealous is a renowned American civil rights leader, known for his tenure as the president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He has worked closely with prominent figures such as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid to advocate for social justice and human rights. Jealous has been influenced by the works of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and W.E.B. Du Bois, and has been recognized for his efforts by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Southern Poverty Law Center. His leadership has been shaped by events such as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

● Early Life and Education

Benjamin Jealous was born in Pacific Grove, California, to Ann Todd Jealous and Fred Jealous. He grew up in a family that valued social justice, with his parents being active in the American Friends Service Committee and the National Council of Churches. Jealous attended York School in Monterey, California, and later enrolled in Columbia University, where he was involved with the Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the National Black Student Leadership Network. He also participated in the Free South Africa Movement, which was supported by organizations like the African National Congress and the Congress of Racial Equality. During his time at Columbia, Jealous was influenced by the works of Frantz Fanon, James Baldwin, and Angela Davis.

● Career

Before becoming the president of the NAACP, Jealous worked as the director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the Black Commentator. He also served as the executive director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, where he worked with organizations like the American Bar Association and the National Association of Social Workers. Jealous has been a vocal advocate for issues like voting rights, racial profiling, and mass incarceration, often working with groups like the ACLU, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the Sentencing Project. He has also been involved in campaigns such as the Jena Six case and the Trayvon Martin case, which were supported by organizations like the National Action Network and the New Black Panther Party.

● Presidency of

the NAACP As the president and CEO of the NAACP, Jealous played a key role in shaping the organization's agenda and advocacy efforts. He worked closely with leaders like Roslyn Brock, Leon Russell, and Hazel Dukes to address issues like healthcare reform, education reform, and environmental justice. During his tenure, the NAACP launched initiatives such as the NAACP Climate Justice Initiative and the NAACP Education Reform Initiative, which were supported by organizations like the Sierra Club and the National Education Association. Jealous also worked with politicians like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi to advance the NAACP's legislative agenda, including the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

● Post-NAACP Career

After leaving the NAACP, Jealous went on to become a partner at Kapor Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in companies focused on social impact and diversity. He has also taught at University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, and has written for publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post. Jealous has continued to be involved in social justice activism, working with organizations like the Black Lives Matter movement and the Dream Defenders. He has also been involved in campaigns such as the Fight for $15 and the Movement for Black Lives, which have been supported by organizations like the Service Employees International Union and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

● Personal Life

Benjamin Jealous is married to Lia Epperson, a professor at American University Washington College of Law. He has two children, Jack Jealous and Morgan Jealous. Jealous has been recognized for his leadership and advocacy efforts, receiving awards like the NAACP Spingarn Medal and the National Action Network's Keeper of the Dream Award. He has also been named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, alongside other notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. Jealous has been influenced by the works of Howard Zinn, Cornel West, and Michelle Alexander, and has been involved in events like the Million Man March and the Women's March on Washington.