Kweisi Mfume Named NAACP President, Revitalizes Organization

Former Maryland congressman Kweisi Mfume was named president and CEO of the NAACP, taking over an organization $3.2 million in debt and riven by scandal following Benjamin Chavis's removal. Mfume eliminated the debt within two years, rebuilt membership, and refocused the organization on voter registration, economic empowerment, and criminal justice reform. Under his leadership, NAACP membership grew from 550,000 to 600,000.