NAACP Boss Plans More Activism

Consumed with getting the NAACP internal house in order, its president conceded Saturday that the civil rights group was a tad quiet on the freedom-fighting front this past year.

But things are going to change in a hurry, Kweisi Mfume promised a group of 300 NAACP members at the group’s annual meeting.

“Last year was a good year for us, but you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Mfume said to cheers at a meeting that at times resembled a church revival.

The comment addressed criticism Mfume has taken in his first year at the helm of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization from some who complain the former Maryland congressman has done little to restore the spiritual and legislative luster to the group.

With a ministerial fervor flavoring his remarks, Mfume said the organization was launching a five-year, $50-million endowment so the group would not ever be subject to the whims of funding sources “who might not like what we have to say.”

“Never again will the NAACP find itself near financial ruin,” Mfume said.

Beyond the endowment, Mfume said no issue would be beyond the scope of NAACP comment and lobbying efforts--including police brutality, substandard education, bank redlining or even the embattled nomination of Alexis M. Herman to be Labor secretary.

Mfume, in a press conference after the meeting, said the organization does not want to see Herman’s nomination torpedoed by “a whispering campaign” in the same manner as C. Lani Guinier’s nomination to head the civil rights division of the Justice Department was several years ago.

“We are hoping this nomination will not be withdrawn,” said Mfume, adding that he expects to meet with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) regarding the nomination. “The NAACP wants to be part of the pressure vehicle on this issue.”

Though nearly $4 million in debt two years ago, Mfume said the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People finished last year with a $2-million surplus.