Staff Reports
In the heart of Wilmington, Delaware, a troubling situation is unfolding. The city has decided to auction off the Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey Academy campus, citing unpaid vacant property registration fees as the reason for this drastic measure. What makes this news even more shocking is that it comes at a time when the accounts of the academy have been frozen. This raises serious questions about the motives behind Wilmington’s actions and highlights a glaring issue of accountability regarding the management and operation of the academy itself.
There is little doubt that the timing of this auction is suspicious. The city seems to be moving ahead despite notifying those involved. Dr. Johnson claims he received notice of the city’s intent to sell the property. However, the absence of thorough communication is alarming. How can a city attempt to sell off properties without ensuring all stakeholders are adequately informed? If transparency and good governance were priorities, one would expect more comprehensive measures to alert the academy about its intentions. Instead, the approach still leaves many unanswered questions. Why the rush to sell? What is hiding behind those closed doors at City Hall?
The academy, founded by an individual over a decade ago with hopes to create a residential educational environment, has been under construction for far too long. After 10 years of fundraising and planning, one has to wonder: where is the progress? With funds presumably raised over this lengthy period, it is startling to perceive that the facilities appear to remain underutilized. Are the promises made to the community nothing more than empty words? However, it’s critical to recognize the academy’s significant progress, with the establishment of a 5,000-book library and educational materials, which were unfortunately destroyed in recent vandalism—a major setback.
Accountability is critical in any community endeavor, especially when it involves our youth and education. If the academy’s administration has been inactive for more than a decade, they must face scrutiny. Questions abound about the financial management and the true intentions of those leading this effort. A school that was supposed to empower a generation of young men seems to have fallen trap to challenges, now compounded by vandalism and delays due to unforeseen circumstances. Where are the responsible adults ensuring that the mission to educate is being fulfilled?
It is time to demand accountability from the leadership of the Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey Academy. The community deserves answers about why a facility designed for the betterment of young scholars has faced such significant delays. It is equally vital for city officials to clarify their reasons for trying to sell off this property, especially when faced with the academy’s progress and setbacks. An accountable and transparent approach is the only way forward if we are to uphold the values of responsibility and integrity that this nation was built upon. The people of Wilmington deserve better, and they must not allow this situation to slip by unnoticed.
