Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP announced his resignation, which is effective Dec. 31.

"Leadership knows when to step up and when to step down," Jealous said in an interview with USA TODAY. "This day I can say with pride that I'm prepared to step down and make room for the next person who will lead this organization to its next chapter."

Jealous, 40, told USA TODAY that his job involves constant traveling which keeps him away from his family. In an effort to spend more time with his wife civil rights lawyer Lia Epperson, daughter Morgan, 7, and son Jack, 13 months, Jealous will formally announce his resignation to his staff on Monday.

Jealous said that he wants to move on to the next stage in his life. Morgan reminded him of his promise to be president for only five years, a promise Jealous made only to please his daughter.

The death of Trayvon Martin also reminded Jealous of job's trying demands. When he learned about Martin's murder, Jealous was two blocks from home. He was preparing for a travel-free week of work, which he looked forward to. Instead, he was forced to go home and tell Epperson he was leaving for two days. He traveled back and forth from Sanford, Fla. for months regarding Martin.

Jealous is currently in the beginning of his second three-year contract.

"Truly we were surprised," Roslyn Brock, NAACP board chairwoman, told USA TODAY. "We're disappointed that he's leaving at this time. He's five years in, and we were expecting him to be with us seven years, based on our agreement with him."

Brock learned of Jealous' resignation on Wednesday but understands his decision.

"We know his passion for the work, and we could hear the pain in his voice," Brock said. "We looked back over the five years. He has made a sacrifice, but he's left us in a place with a five-year strategic plan."

After resigning, Jealous has plans to work in teaching. He has spoken with some schools within commuting distance of Washington's metropolitan area.

Other plans for Jealous include working with civil rights activists to raise money to promote black participation in politics.

Jealous became NAACP president over five years ago at the age of 35, the youngest man to do so. When he became president, the NAACP, which is based in Baltimore, was facing financial issue and criticism that the group's leaders were old and out of touch.  Under Jealous' lead, the NAACP is now connected via social media and features diverse, visible and educated leadership.

"In the last five years, we've had double-digit revenue growth," Jealous said. "We've spent five years in the black."

Membership has grown as well. In 2007, before Jealous started, the NAACP's donor base was at 16,422. Last year, the donor base was at 132,543. As a result, revenue for the civil rights group grew from $25.7 million in 2008 to $46 million last year.

According to the Charity Navigation, an independent, non-profit-reviewing organization, the NAACP has a 51.42 out of 70 for finances and a 70 out of 70 for accountability and transparency.

In terms of a replacement, Jealous said it might be time for a woman to step up to the plate.

"I'm the 17th president of the NAACP and the 17th man," Jealous said. "I do expect that the next president of the NAACP will be different in some way."

Plans have not yet been made to select Jealous' successor.