Lede: Questions about finances at the Black Lives Matter Global Foundation made
headlines, but political impropriety is at the heart of the
matter. Revolutionary politics would proscribe self-dealing and co-optation.

Yahne Ndgo, 23 February 2022

(quote)
On January 31, 2022, New York magazine published an article by Sean Campbell,
"The BLM Mystery: Where did the money go?" A core demand of the article is one
that many have made for many years: Show me the money! People have questions. I
have a lot of answers. I am a former, and still supportive organizer in a legacy
chapter (my own term) of Black Lives Matter - BLM Philly. I represented the
chapter in the national network - the place that BLM Global Foundation in its
several formations curated. Up until my separation from the chapter in late
2021, BLMGN was the owner/manager/user of the primary website
BlackLivesMatter.com, along with the social media and the newsletter. Those who
claimed leadership of BLMGN managed its resources and received millions in
donations with complete autonomy and no accountability to the hundreds of BLM
organizers across the globe who gave them their street cred. However, what is
most heinous is that this autonomy was never revealed to any of the organizers.

Over the many years since its inception, BLMGN brought organizers together from
various chapters for retreats and held regular meetings that were generally no
less than once per month to work through concerns and organize
together. Concerns included political clarity, reaching consensus on priorities,
transparency about money, and democratic decision making about campaigns, public
discussion, and use of resources. Organizers worked in earnest to address these
concerns, and to achieve the understood goal to empower the chapters of BLM to
be an effective, collective revolutionary force. The chapters were composed of
organizers on the ground in cities around the world. The "leaders" misled the
organizers, asserting they were seeking to accomplish the same goals,
insinuating that they were simply failing. Organizers are typically overwhelmed,
and often take on responsibilities beyond their capacity. It's the nature of the
work. So the community accepted and acted in faith that the problem was capacity
and maybe a bit of ego, yet nothing nefarious. That was our mistake.

Not until July 2020, after an ultimatum in the form of a demand letter, were
organizers finally positioned to collectively decide who would manage the funds
and communications platforms that represented us, who would work with the fiscal
sponsor, the process for driving ourselves forward in a way that aligned with
the larger movement, and clarifying our politics so that there was harmony
between the organization and organizers on the ground around the country. The
story of this moment is, I think, among those most important to anyone
attempting to understand the place BLM truly takes within the Black Liberation
Movement, and any movements for equity, justice and freedom today.

I am glad people are asking questions about the money. However, the money,
though the most sensational part, is actually the least important in my
opinion. Money is important for resourcing the work of the movement, of the
organizers and of communities, and to support the families of victims of police
murder, and of state violence in it's many forms. However, more significant than
the potential use of funds held in an organization is the potential influence of
those who provide those funds. And more important than that, is the process of
propaganda.
(/quote)
-- Cont'd at https://blackagendareport.com/hide-nothing-masses-insider-perspective-black-lives-matter-global-network-sham