To the Editor:

Over these past five years, we have faced incredible challenges, and we have risen to and met every single one of them.

But leadership involves both knowing when to step up and when to step down. Effective Dec. 31st, (National NAACP) President (Benjamin) Jealous will step down, and the NAACP will transition to new leadership.

This decision does not come lightly — family is paramount in our lives. Like so many of us, family is the reason why we have fought so hard for civil rights and human rights. It isn’t just about preserving today — it’s about creating a better tomorrow for us and for the next generation.

We’re so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. We’ve won state and local battles to abolish the death penalty, shrink prison systems, outlaw racial profiling, expand voting rights, reform gun laws, close dangerous power plants, expand early childhood education, and secure health care for the uninsured.

We’ve also played a dynamic role in the fights for workers’ rights, women’s rights, immigrants’ rights, marriage equality, and in the struggle to end the HIV epidemic.

Take a moment to read through that list again. It’s incredible.

We’re actively fighting for civil rights on a number of fronts, and we’re going to need your help.

Thank you again for all you have done. We look forward to all we’ll do in these next four months and beyond.

Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP