When Bruce Gordon (incoming CEO of the NAACP) was portrayed by Julian Bond as the potential savior of the organization, there was hope that the wealthy former corporate exec would forgo all or some of his salary so the cash-strapped civil rights group could get back on its feet. But some national board members left Milwaukee last week sizzling, hotter than a St. Louis heat wave when it leaked out that Gordon’s supporters demanded that he be given $300,000 annually, with perks.
During the July board meeting, some concerned members demanded to see Gordon’s contract before they approved it. Bond refused, instead reading aloud only certain paragraphs of the contract. After more prodding, Bond informed the board that if they wanted to see the contract they would have to travel to the NAACP’s Baltimore headquarters and read it there in front of legal counsel Dennis Hayes.
The good news is that the contract dictates an evaluation period for Gordon’s job performance, and revenue generated by any outside speaking engagements will now go to the NAACP. Gordon’s predecessor, Kweisi Mfume, refused to cooperate on his performance clause, and some insiders felt the NAACP leadership should have fired Mfume over his handling of fees from his speaking gigs.