Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, has announced her resignation from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, effective Friday. The 37-year-old activist dismissed suggestions that her departure was linked to recent scrutiny over her personal finances, calling such claims "right-wing attacks."
Cullors, who led the foundation for nearly six years, said her resignation had been planned for over a year and was unrelated to reports that she owned four homes, including a $1.4 million property in Topanga Canyon. She stated she would focus on her second book, An Abolitionist's Handbook, and a TV development deal with Warner Bros.
The foundation raised $90 million amid 2020's racial justice protests following George Floyd's murder, ending the year with over $60 million after expenses. In April, it disclosed that Cullors received $120,000 between 2013 and 2019 for her work, and denied any misuse of funds for personal property purchases.
Conservative critics and some black activists had called for an investigation into Cullors' finances, but no evidence of impropriety has emerged. The grieving parents of Michael Brown and Breonna Taylor reportedly complained that the organisation had not assisted them.
