Julian Bond, the chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said last week that he’s giving up his post when his three-year term ends this coming February. Bond, who has led the NAACP’s national board for ten years, said he will continue as a member of that body but had determined it was time to pass on the mantle of its leadership.

Being Chairman has been a wonderful honor,” he told the Baltimore Afro-American, “however, it has been more demanding than anything I’ve ever done. I’m ready to let a new generation of leaders lead.”

February marks the centennial of the civil rights organization, which is planning a sustained celebration of the milestone.  In May the NAACP board chose Benjamin Todd Jealous as its executive director, ending a tumultuous period that led to the abrupt resignation of its previous executive director, Bruce S. Gordon.

Visit the NAACP web site for the full story.

UPDATE (Dec 10, 2008): It seems Julian Bond has had a change of heart.