Over the past two years, The Black Economic Union (BEU) has suffered enough from hostile attempts to take over the leadership and the organization's assets. And now to be subject to yet another "smear campaign" we feel is totally inappropriate. Such unethical behavior has made it difficult for BEU to manage its day to day operations currently housed in the Lincoln Building in Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine District, despite the hostile attempt to be evicted from its legendary home.
A news story appearing in a local Kansas City newspaper last year (June 8, 2018) contained several disparaging allegations and untruths against the historic Black Economic Union (BEU). It is notable that the newspaper’s reporter and/or editor did not contact any current members of the BEU for comment before publishing the false statements, did not attempt to verify the allegations in the article, and did not make any discernable attempt to understand the court document from which it quoted. Despite these wrongs, the BEU has chosen at this time not to take a heavy-handed approach toward the newspaper, preferring instead to seek a fair opportunity to present an explanation of the facts.
The June 8, 2018 newspaper article was published as the current BEU board of directors prepared to file a lawsuit against its former attorney, Henry Service whose law office is The Service Law Offices of Kansas City, now title owner with BEU having a 50% equity interest in the Historic Lincoln Building at 18th & Vine. Service attempted to evict BEU from the building after committing to a public/private partnership that he and the former president Mr. Marvin Lyman announced in a front-page article of the same newspaper that was published on May 18th, 2018, prior to the June 8, 2018 article. Since then, Attorney Henry Service and the Black Economic Union participated in a mediation process and that is now complete. Both the Black Economic Union and Attorney Henry Service are not able to discuss the outcome of the mediation because the settlement terms are confidential.
The Black Economic Union maintains an office in the Lincoln Building and remains committed to serving the community. The Black Economic Union understands that a new property manager has been hired to manage the Lincoln Building; and the organization is looking forward to working with the new property manager.
Meanwhile, within the past several weeks, a reporter for a Kansas City television station, apparently basing his news broadcast on mis-information contained in the June 8, 2018 newspaper article, is subsequently painting the BEU organization and its volunteer advisor Vewiser Dixon in a negative light in the community and among BEU’s private partners. Much of this distorted information was based on comments filed in Mr. Service’s wrongful eviction attempt from the now removed former BEU chairman William Harris, and on events that happened 17 years ago. When City officials commented about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds allocated to BEU for renovations of the Lincoln building during the tenure of both former BEU presidents Chester Thompson and Marvin Lyman, the television reporter affirmed the truth—that the unused remaining funds were repurposed and no malfeasance was found on the part of BEU.
During the same television news broadcast, the reporter stated that the Interim Director of BEU Ms. Cathy Brodhurst “syphoned” monies to Mr. Dixon’s personal real estate projects, apparently basing his report on mis-information. In fact, at no time during Ms. Brodhurst’s service did this occur. This statement is inaccurate, misleading, and simply untrue. As a matter of fact, the false allegations by Mr. William Harris against Mr. Dixon were dismissed by a Missouri Court. Mr. Dixon has chosen to respond to that false accusation by “taking the high road.” He says, “My spiritual convictions prevent me from publicly disparaging those who have made false statements against me as I try to practice my faith daily in accordance with the Holy scripture found in Matthew 18:15-35.”
Conclusion:
Inspired by the spirit of BEU’s founding fathers when they united together to help Muhammad Ali during a critical time of “Turmoil and Trouble” in his life, we, the current BEU board of directors, Charles Parker, Martinez Denmon and Cathleen Brodhurst, along with the help of our volunteer advisor, businessman and Marketplace Minister Vewiser Dixon, remain committed to “save and serve” the legacy of the oldest black Community Development Corporation in America.
Inspired by the spirit of BEU’s founding fathers when they united together to help Muhammad Ali during a critical time of “Turmoil and Trouble” in his life, we, the current BEU board of directors, Charles Parker, Martinez Denmon and Cathleen Brodhurst, along with the help of our volunteer advisor, businessman and Marketplace Minister Vewiser Dixon, remain committed to “save and serve” the legacy of the oldest black Community Development Corporation in America.
Through BEU’s efforts, affordable senior housing units have been built in Kansas City’s Black community including Centennial Villas, D.A. Holmes I, Vine Street Manor, and Martin Luther King Village. The organization also led the redevelopment of the Stonegate Meadows Apartments in the late 90’s giving hundreds of families an affordable living option. Equally important is the redevelopment of Basie Court. The mixture of townhomes and apartments also gives children and families an economical housing opportunity that is much needed in the face of rising downtown rents and gentrification.
Since the airing of the recent television broadcast mentioned above, other local and national community advocacy groups have now come forth to offer their assistance to BEU in seeking a formal retraction and public apology.
BEU is being represented by the Levy Craig Law Firm and Ramsey Barhorst Law Firm and on the advice of our legal counsel, we will make no further comment.
The Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City (BEU) has served the Greater Kansas City community for more than 50 years by providing low-income housing, affordable office space in the Historic Lincoln Building, facilitating tax abatement for newly constructed homes on Kansas City’s east side, serving as the conduit for financing the development of Home Depot and Costco, and by housing a Minority Business Incubator in partnership with the City of Kansas City. BEU has been at the forefront of economic development in Kansas City since its birth at the Ali Summit of 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio through the leadership of Curtis McClinton and Jim Brown.
Since the airing of the recent television broadcast mentioned above, other local and national community advocacy groups have now come forth to offer their assistance to BEU in seeking a formal retraction and public apology.
BEU is being represented by the Levy Craig Law Firm and Ramsey Barhorst Law Firm and on the advice of our legal counsel, we will make no further comment.
Originally published by THE KANSAS CITY GLOBE
Thursday, October 24, 2019
by Peter Vanderwicken The Harvard Business Review, 1995
