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The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are in the middle of a crazy legal situation that has led to a judge in Chicago to order the director of the sorority to bring financial records to the courthouse today. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Cook County Judge Daniel Riley seemed concerned that, for two days in a row, the person in charge of the organization's financial record has refused to show. The newspaper reports:
"They didn't bring me the person I asked for twice," the judge said.
On Tuesday, Riley had found the group in contempt of court for failing to have its records custodian in court, as he had ordered on Monday. Instead, the national sorority sent a human resources manager Tuesday who said she didn't have the records.
The legal wrangling has occurred as a result of a lawsuit filed by members of the group alleging improper spending by Barbara A. McKinzie, the group's president. They are questioning, among other things, the $1 million in compensation she received from the organization. The judge ruled on July 1 that 94-year-old Julia Purnell, a former president and the oldest living former president of the organization, could inspect the financial records. Purnell, who sued to see the documents, said she would present her findings to the organization at the St. Louis meeting where the sorority is currently holding its national meeting. Her attorneys are saying that the group has refused to give her access to the records.
I was terribly disappointed to read about the complex and disturbing legal issues that have laid a stain on such a storied and respected organization. Nearly all of the women in my family are AKAs, and I know they joined the organization because it garners so much respect around the world. While I've not heard from AKA leadership about what's going on here, I'll lay out some simple facts from an outside observer who also happens to be a professor of finance:
1) A $1 million in compensation MUST be explained to your membership in a clear and transparent fashion. That's 250 percent more than the president of the United States earns in a year, so I would expect that the membership might want an explanation for what could appear to be serious financial mismanagement. If it is not the case that President McKinzie has done anything unethical then she must make it clear that this is not the situation.
2) I honestly do not understand the organization's lack of financial transparency in general. A public organization with an incredibly broad membership that refuses to reveal its financial information, even at the expense of being held in contempt of court clearly has something to hide. Whether there is a legitimate reason for such evasive behavior should be up to the membership to decide. At the very least, Purnell was right to sue for the rights to see the financial records and present her findings to the organization. There is reason to be suspicious of the activities of McKinzie, who has faced tremendous scrutiny for her problematic leadership style. In fact, a judge wrote this about McKinzie earlier this year:
This case is largely about several disgruntled AKA members disillusioned with what they see as an increasingly opaque, authoritarian and self-serving leadership in their organization. The question remains, however, whether such behavior warrants judicial intervention.
3) Most impressive is the 94-year-old Purnell. Yes, Dorothy Height was a great woman, but it appears that Julia Purnell possesses an equally strong fighting spirit. When a 94-year-old woman fights this hard to do what she feels is right for her organization, she is sending a clear signal that her motivations are driven by the longevity of the sorority she loves so much. At the very least, I presume she did not pay herself a $1 million in salary when she ran the organization, so her motivations were likely not financial.
The bottom line is that McKinzie, by appearing to withhold valuable information from her organization's membership, is making it seem that she is making herself wealthy at the organization's expense. (For that much money, I'd be willing to serve as president of the KKK.) I am not one to say that this is the case, but the truth is that she needs to "fess up." When you take a $1 million from a group and then don't explain why you did it that's going to certainly and justifiably raise some eyebrows.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (49)
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By: Leslie on 7/18/2010 11:43AM
I have always been suspect of many of Dr. Watkins's comments regarding issues published here, but the fact that he says he would be "president of the KKK...for $1 million" makes it apparent that he can be bought by anyone (ie, is a slave) and should not be considered an ethical source of info for Black folks. I would hope that Blackvoices would reconsider their relationship with him.
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By: Drag Dog on 7/18/2010 4:39PM
LaVerne Shade: Thanks for your kind remarks. Mrs. Purnell, Dorothy Height, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Elizabeth Freeman, Sojourner Truth, the great Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, Queen Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisholm, Wilma Rudolph, Elaine Brown, Kathleen Cleaver, Lani Guinier, Sonia Sanchez, Queen N'Zinga, all of the powerful Black women of Antiquity, and millions of others names I haven't mentioned were all strong, intelligent,caring, kind, beautiful Black women who made significant contributions to the development of Western Civilization and to the great Black Nation within the USA.
Mrs. Height and Mrs Purnell are true warriors, and the AKA's will be a much stronger Sisterhood because of the tenaciouness,& intestinal fortitude of Mrs. Purnell.
Age is only a number, and we shoudn't sleep anyone just because they are a certain age.
Conflict is often good, because it brings out the good and bad in people, which could make a bad or negative situation improve for the overall good of said organization (Sisterhood).
So all the AKA's must hold their heads high and stand tall,
Walk in concert with each other before you all fall.
Thank You and May God be with you
Drag Dog
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By: cartoonlover on 7/18/2010 9:40PM
Ms. McKenzie needs our prayers, I can't imagine what she has experienced in her personal life that she would deliberately (at least it appears that way) harm her CHOSEN organization (reputation, financially). The damage that she has done will hinder the organization for decades to come, not only in the area of membership but also the area of public service.
My heart goes out to the AKA membership. I pray that Ms. McKenzie provides a believable explaination for her actions or that the membership takes action to ensure she is financially responsible for any misappropriations that come to light.
NOTE: You go, Mrs. Purnell! Transperancy and accountability are key components of leadership! Maybe Ms. Purnell should become the Basilius. . .
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By: James Gadson on 7/19/2010 12:16AM
That KKK comment Dr.Boyce made took me apart and I quickly pieced myself together while thinking to myself. "Why would he say something like that"?
Surely though. People like Clarence Thomas, Condoleeza Rice, and even Colin Powell are unknowing members of the KKK. Republicans harbor KKK members and the likes. Yet whenever I mention that to blacks who say they are Republicans they dismiss those facts and say things like "Oh the KKK don't even exist any more!". What kind of mental ignorance is that? Well it's the same kind of ignorance that caused them to join the Republicans in the first place. That and their ignorant beliefs that conservatives are God believers like they are. White people use belief in God their way and black people? Well the jury is still out why they believe so seriously in a "white man's" God and religion. But it's serious I know that much. To see so many sheep in the flock is a serious warning to all who do not believe, that they had better watch out! I've suffered the wrath of believers a few times!
Meanwhile the source of American God believers. The "White" Euro-American, people still prey upon other weaker nations pillaging and killing and leaving their take on God in their wake.
Speaking of wake. The power of a belief in God and the bible is so strong that it keeps people from waking up! So that, no matter how good they think they are, and how smart they think they are. Their minds are still numbed by a religion they were never supposed to embrace!
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By: Anisha on 7/20/2010 3:32PM
His statement: "Yes, Dorothy Height was a great woman, but it appears that Julia Purnell possesses an equally strong fighting spirit." I get what he was trying to say, but there was no point to using Dr. Height other than to point out that an AKA was equal to a Delta in stature. And the fact still remains that Purnell is not equal to Height.
What takes away from what he was trying to say, beyond that fact that there was no mention of Height at any other point in the article giving rise to a need for mentioning her when he did, is the BUT. Whenever but follows anything, it takes away from what came before it. Height was great, BUT Purnell was greater. That's not what he meant but that's how it comes off when the two women are not on the same playing field, let alone in the same league.
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By: Drag Dog on 7/21/2010 7:25AM
SteveLC: In America's system of jurisprudence there is the presumption of innocence of the defendant in a criminal action. SteveLC, this right is suppose to be given to all parties before any court of proper jurisidction.
SteveLC please reveal what court in the USA has found Mrs. McKinzie guilty of an offense or offenses? Please afford the readers the docket number of the court case, and said citations for everyones review. SteveLC, the charges against Mrs McKinzie are accusations, and allegations. SteveLC, nothing has been proven against Mrs. McKinzie.
Therefore I think it would be in order to hold our opinions in abeyance until the court has finally adjudicated in the instant case.
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By: AKA513 on 7/20/2010 10:50PM
Drag Dog interesting "handle" makes one think a bit.
While you find fault with one commentor, accusing him of being a poor student, I would be remiss if I did not point out two things in your comments: the word English as a language is always capitalized. The use of the apersam (&) is not interchangable with the conjunction and. It is usualy used with names of organizations of sorts. Maybe a bit too much texting on your part. One must be able to cross over varying means of communication and the written word in emails and on paper should adhere to the rules of standard English grammar. Another point, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority INC, I feel it imperative to understand that in joining and being an active member, I have never and I do believe any one member of our beloved organization feels, we are mimicing any "white" organization. I am proud of our founding members who were nothing short of remarkable young women of color some 102 years ago. Unlike our white counnterparts we are a phlanthropic and civic organization who are not self serving. and exclusivly social during years in college and disband after college. Most members of Black Greek organizations continue their association long after graduation and continue to promote their missions, ours is " Service To all Mankind". We are not secret but private and selective. The outcome of this suit will be interesting and will turn the tides causing some internal reorganization of how the Directorate makes decisions. " Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive".
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By: Drag Dog on 7/21/2010 8:40AM
AKA513 interesting " handle" makes one think a bit. AKA513 while you have correctly found fault with my improper use of the word English and the apersam &, I would be remiss if I did not point out one thing in your comments.
There is no such word as mimicing. AKA513 the word is mimicking.Yes my good sister we all make mistakes in grammar usage, and spelling.
AKA513 I did not say anything about the AKA's being a secret organization. I think you have me confused with the comments from Mr. Gadson.
I am also proud of the founding members of the AKA Sorority who were all extraordinarily gifted, and exceptional great women of color.
AKA513, I am also very proud of the fact that I am married to an AKA, and my daughter is a proud member of the AKA's. My mother-in-law is an AKA and all her daughters are AKA's. Most of my beautiful nieces are active AKA's.
I am just a misguided recovering old Black Panther.
AKA513 may God be with you and your family, and I really appreciate your feedback.
Thank You
Drag Dog
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By: E. Friley on 7/24/2010 11:19AM
What in the heck does the venerable Dr. Dorothy Irene Height have to do with this case??? Plus, to mention her name, along with such a negative story only serves to diminish Dr. Height's prominence within the nation.
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