Dr. Umar Johnson, the founder of the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey RBG International Leadership Academy for Boys, is facing a significant financial crisis as the city of Wilmington, Delaware, has issued a foreclosure lien on the school campus due to unpaid bills. This unexpected move comes after Johnson claimed he received no prior notification from city officials regarding the outstanding payments, which include vacant property registration fees and utility costs.
In a passionate video addressing his supporters, Johnson expressed outrage over the lack of communication from the city, stating that he only learned about the lien through a notice affixed to the door of the campus. He emphasized that he had been trying to resolve the issue for months, including requests for a waiver on the vacant property registration fees, which he believes should have exempted him from owing any charges. Johnson asserted that the school has been working tirelessly for over six years to establish its presence in Wilmington, and he questioned the timing of the city’s decision to move forward with the foreclosure process, suggesting that it may be racially motivated.
The situation worsens for Johnson as the city plans to raise the vacant property registration fee from $5,000 to $12,000 per year, further compounding his financial struggles. In light of these developments, Johnson is rallying his supporters to prepare for a protest against what he describes as systemic racism in the treatment of Black community initiatives. He urged his followers to contribute financially to help cover the school’s debts, directing them to his PayPal account for donations.
Critics, however, have questioned Johnson’s handling of the school’s finances and operations. Various commentators have pointed out that the issues surrounding the unpaid fees and the city’s lack of communication do not arise in a vacuum. They argue that proper business management practices should have been in place to prevent the situation from escalating to this point. Accusations of mismanagement and a lack of transparency have been levied against Johnson, with detractors suggesting that he has not been forthcoming with his supporters about the financial realities facing the school.
As the deadline for payment looms, the future of the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy hangs in the balance. The community is now watching closely to see how Johnson will navigate this crisis. Whether through protests or fundraising efforts, the coming days will be crucial in determining the academy’s fate. The situation serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by educational initiatives within marginalized communities and the complexities of securing financial stability in a competitive landscape.