Business
Ben Jealous, former NAACP president, becomes venture capitalist to help minorities in tech industry
Just months after stepping down as head of the nation’s largest civil rights organization, former NAACP President Benjamin Jealous (pictured), is changing his career from an East Coast political activist to a West Coast venture capitalist, a switch he hopes will help further his goal of growing opportunities for African Americans and Latinos in the booming tech economy.
“My life’s mission has been leveling the playing field and closing gaps in opportunity and success,” Jealous, 41, told reporters before Tuesday’s announcement. “I’m excited about trying a different approach.”
The Northern California native and self-confessed computer geek will be joining entrepreneurs Mitchell Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein at their venture capital investment firm that backs information technology start-ups committed to making a positive social impact.
Fred Turner, who studies culture and technology as an associate professor at Stanford University, said it’s “fascinating that a person of his caliber and experience would move into this space.”
Turner said there’s a deep question going on in the United States about how to accomplish positive social change.
“In the Silicon Valley they approach it entrepreneurially, in Washington they approach it politically,” Turner said. “These are two very different modes.”
Jealous, who was widely credited with improving the NAACP’s finances, donor base and outreach, said he will never completely drop out of politics.
