Activists claim racial discrimination at Fourth Street Live! after new report
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Management of Fourth Street Live! is pushing back against allegations of discrimination discussed in a new report completed by a consulting firm in New York.
The Cordish Companies were referenced in a report that mentioned properties located in Louisville (Fourth Street Live!), Philadelphia and Kansas City. The report says eight lawsuits and two complaints have been filed against Cordish dating back to 2011.
In a press conference Wednesday morning, community activist Jerald Muhammad suggested local NAACP organizations in each city of the report received donations from Cordish, causing them to back off of the report.
[MORE: $12 million of improvements coming to Fourth Street Live!]
When asked why he was the only one in attendance to speak, Muhammad said some organizations are afraid to take a stand.
"[Cordish] is a very powerful corporation. When The Cordish Companies come to town, they donate money to the typical civil rights group," said Muhammad. "Here in the city of Louisville, the local NAACP has a relationship with Fourth Street Live!."
He went on to say the same about the Louisville Urban League.
WAVE 3 News reached out to the two groups mentioned by Muhammad.
Louisville's NAACP said they have not taken any money from Cordish. Raoul Cunningham, President of the Louisville Chapter of the NAACP, said his group has received a contribution in the form of tickets purchased to the annual Freedom Fund Banquet, but that is it.
"Any implication that the NAACP can be bought off is ridiculous, and that is putting it mildly," said Cunningham.
"I am aware of what [Muhammad] said," responded Ben Richmond, CEO of the Louisville Urban League. "If you know what we are, a federal tax exempt charitable organization, like many, we raise funds to do our work with a number of corporate partners in Louisville. As we work with our partners, we work to help teach them about diversity, inclusiveness, training on cultures of different groups, and to understand the laws that apply to everyone."
"Cordish is a company the group works with, like others, that the relationship is mutually beneficial as we go about our mission," continued Richmond. "With all that said, we raise money each year from a number of donors and we are proud of our relationship with Fourth Street Live! and Cordish. They are seeking to improve where they are and provide services to the community."
The COO of The Cordish Companies flew to Louisville Wednesday afternoon to respond in person about the allegations listed in the report.
"The report is bogus," Zed Smith said. "Allegations, that is all they are."
Wednesday evening, Muhammad led another meeting about the report and reaction of local civil rights groups. He believes the responses made by NAACP and Louisville Urban League, but plans to conduct his own investigation to prove racial discrimination at
Fourth Street Live!.
"It is a local leadership issue with our local officials," Muhammad said. "We need to sit down with our churches, everybody and look at the possibility of developing our own Fourth Street Live!."
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