NAACP CHOOSES NEW LEADER THE REV. BENJAMIN CHAVIS CALLS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNITY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 10, 1993                   TAG: 9304100034
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA                                LENGTH: Medium
NAACP CHOOSES NEW LEADER THE REV. BENJAMIN CHAVIS CALLS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNITY
The Rev. Benjamin Chavis, a civil rights crusader who spent four years in prison in the Wilmington 10 firebombing case before being freed by a federal appeals court, was chosen Friday to head the NAACP.
Chavis, 45, replaces Benjamin Hooks, who is retiring after 16 years at the helm of the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
"Chavis brings to this post a wealth of talent, enormous personal courage and a vibrant vision for the association's future," said William F. Gibson, chairman of the NAACP's 64-member board. "I look forward to his energetic leadership in the years to come."
Chavis now is executive director of the Commission for Racial Justice, United Church of Christ. In recent years, he pioneered the "environmental racism" movement, which holds that toxic materials are stored disproportionately in and near black communities.
"I accept with humility and with pride the distinct honor of serving you as executive director of the NAACP," Chavis said. "This symbolizes the beginning of the renewal and revitalization of the NAACP."
Chavis was selected after a yearlong search that generated much discussion about the future of the 500,000-member National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The decision came at the end of a daylong meeting and interviews with the three finalists: Chavis; Jewel Jackson McCabe, head of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; and Earl P. Shinhoster, the NAACP's Southeastern regional director.
Jesse Jackson had been a finalist but withdrew as a candidate Wednesday, citing a proposal that would give the NAACP board greater control over daily operations.
Three board members issued a scathing response Friday, arguing that Jackson dropped out because he feared he would not be chosen to lead the 84-year-old civil rights organization.
Chavis extended a call to Jackson to unify their movements. "I call on all those outstanding African-American leaders considered as candidates for this job to join with me . . . in strengthening and expanding the NAACP.
Chavis said he would continue the work he began with the United Church of Christ in organizing "truth movements" among street gangs. He said he also will travel next week to South Central Los Angeles in hopes of easing tensions related to the Rodney King beating trials.
"I am not a stranger in the 'hood," Chavis said, using a slang term for inner city neighborhoods. "These young brothers and sisters need attention."
Chavis joined the civil rights movement at 15. He was imprisoned in North Carolina from 1976 to 1980 as a member of the so-called Wilmington 10, convicted of firebombing a store in unrest that shook that North Carolina city.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB