Patrisse Cullors is resigning as executive director amid criticism over the BLM Global Network Foundation’s finances and her personal wealth.
In 2020, Black Lives Matter foundation received over $90 million. The donations exploded following the death of George Floyd. BLM vowed to use the money to be more active and will be reinvested into black communities especially to families of Black victims of police brutality.
New York Post reported that Cullors went on a real estate buying spree in wake of Floyd’s death protests. She purchased four high-end homes for $3.2 million in the US. Public records show that she purchased a $1.4 million home in Malibu, a 2,370-square-foot property features “soaring ceilings, skylights and plenty of windows” with canyon views.
The head of Black Lives Matter Greater New York City, Hawk Newsome, called for “an independent investigation” to find out how the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation spends its money.
“If you go around calling yourself a socialist, you have to ask how much of her own personal money is going to charitable causes,” he said. “It’s really sad because it makes people doubt the validity of the movement and overlook the fact that it’s the people that carry this movement.”
Critics of the foundation contend more of that money should have gone to the families of Black victims of police brutality who have been unable to access the resources needed to deal with their trauma and loss. Cullors and the foundation have said they do support families without making public announcements or disclosing dollar amounts.
New York Post reported that Cullors did not use any of the money donated to Black Live Matter on her own personal properties.
“I have never taken a salary from the Black Lives Matters Global Networks Foundation,” she said.
In the Black News Tonight shows, hosted by Marc Lamont Hill, Cullors said that she has income streams beyond the BLM foundation.
“I’m a college professor, first of all,” she continued. “I also am a TV producer. And I have had two book deals.
“My first book that came out was a New York Times best seller. And I have also had a YouTube deal,” she said.
Cullors said her departure is not tied to critics and attacks over her lavish lifestyle.