A Catalyst Organization that Empowers and Energizes Prince George's County
Nonprofit Director sends threatening e-mail to People for Change |
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Email sparks resignation call for nonprofit director People for Change says organization leader used threatening language by Daniel Valentine | Staff Writer A community activist group is calling for the resignation of the executive director of a Prince George's County nonprofit coalition, claiming the leader used threatening language to prevent formation of another nonprofit umbrella group. Members of the group People for Change said Jerry Adams, executive director of the Human Services Coalition, should be fired for attempting to discourage them from forming a group representing nonprofit organizations. "Personally, I felt like I was on the plantation, having to go to the master to ask for permission," said Sandra Pruitt, leader of People for Change, at a meeting April 1 with about 30 supporters held to discuss formation of a new nonprofit. The complaint stems from a March 27 email Adams sent to Pruitt when she announced plans to form a new group to advocate against government cuts to nonprofits.The Human Services Coalition, based in Lanham and formed in 2001, represents more than 100 county nonprofits. "Where exactly do you get the authority to represent your organization as the Nonprofit Coalition of Prince George's County?" the email from Adams reads, adding later: "HSC represents a reasoned and tactical approach as [a] voice of the nonprofit community, and you confuse the issue with a second message and style ... it is a huge disservice to nonprofits." Pruitt and supporters said they felt threatened by the email. "It's a direct threat to a black woman from a white man that should be unacceptable in this county. To me, it's a modern-day lynching," said Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant, who wore a noose around his neck while speaking about the email at the meeting. Adams said he regrets the tone of the email and has sent a letter of apology to Pruitt. "I hope we can all put this behind us and get back to working hard for the nonprofits of Prince George's County," Adams said. Board members for the coalition declined to comment on the issue, and Adams declined to provide a copy of the apology letter. Pruitt did not return a request for comment on the apology. People for Change, formed in 2007 to encourage public participation in politics, has between 50 and 100 active members, according to Pruitt. The group has been a vocal critic of county government and organizations. People for Change attempted to form a second county chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2007 after the civil rights group declined to join the group's request for several school board members to resign. The attempt was rejected by state and national NAACP leaders. In a letter to supporters,Pruitt vowed to continue efforts to form a new nonprofit coalition this spring. She is planning a meeting Friday to discuss strategies for lobbying the council for more nonprofit funding and has pledged to continue calling for Adams' resignation. "We are not going to sit back and wait for someone else to represent our interests," she wrote to supporters. dvalentine@gazette.net
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