EXCLUSIVE

NAACP SHAKEUP IMMINENT: The NAACP board is planning to oust its controversial board chairman at the organization's February meeting in New York City, sources tell TIME national correspondent Jack White. White's NAACP sources tell him that the opposition to board chair William Gibson has built up to the point that there are enough votes in the 64-member board to get rid of him. Gibson was one of the chief backers of former executive director Ben Chavis, who was forced out last August amid allegations of financial improprieties. A dissident faction within the financially-troubled organization, which is currently struggling under a $4 million deficit, filed a lawsuit this month against Gibson, accusing him of improperly spending $1.4 million of the organization's funds. The top candidate to replace Gibson is said to be Myrlie Evers-Williams, the wife of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, White says. "Everybody believes that the NAACP won't get its act together until Gibson leaves," says White. "That's what this vote is all about." The NAACP's annual membership meeting will be held in New York from Feb. 16 to 18.