Ten of the original chapters of BLM and some newer ones are demanding accountability and transparency on how they spent the $90 million in donations went.
The effort has picked up steam since Michael Brown’s father and the parent Black Lives Matter organization. They are questioning the motives behind the Black Lives Matter foundation. The revolution was begun by BLM+10, which were the 10 original chapters of BLM.
They have issued a public demand that Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation be transparent on how the money was spent. They are particularly interested in the real estate binge that founder Patrisse Cullors went on, spending millions of dollars and directing money to her husband’s company.
In fairness, there is no evidence as of yet that Cullors did anything wrong. But, an investigation will probably take place. Cullors has other sources of income for good money outside BLM.
BLM10+ said:
“To the best of our knowledge, most chapters have received little to no financial support from BLMGN since the launch in 2013. It was only in the last few months that selected chapters appear to have been invited to apply for a $500,000 grant created with resources generated because of the organizing labor of chapters. This is not the equity and financial accountability we deserve.”
In an unconfirmed report, onlym6% went to local chapters and the bulk of the money went to staff salaries and travel expenses.
When the complaint was first filed, the Black Lives Matter foundation removed the ten chapters from their website. That is the lesson we learn is don’t question them or you will be erased.
Those chapters will no longer be eligible for funds.
BLM10+ claimed that “nepotism, proximity to power, and access to resources became more important to the Network than making sure that they had a radical vision, objectives, and strategies created through a transparent, democratic decision making process and a solid foundation of shared governance and political alignment.”
“The salaries, such as those of Patrisse Cullors, other founders, and staff have never been reported to Chapters,” the press release, which is titled, “Tell No Lies,” said.
“As we labored to build grassroots movements in our communities, our engagement with BLMGN was always problematic and unsupportive,” BLM10+ declared. “We never knew who made decisions or how decision making processes were determined.”
