The Sierra Club board of directors terminated its first Black executive director, Ben Jealous, after placing him on leave earlier. Board Chair Patrick Murphy announced the unanimous decision, citing public disagreements between Jealous and local chapter staff. Despite this, Jealous emphasized his successes in increasing membership and staff in several Republican-leaning states. He indicated plans to contest the termination legally. Former board members defended Jealous, describing the decision as wrongful and discriminatory, suggesting a smear campaign against him.
It is disheartening, unfortunate, but perhaps not surprising that the board has chosen an adversarial course that the facts so clearly cannot support. I have begun the process under my contract to fight this decision. I am confident that we will prevail.
Where past white executive directors followed particular procedures and practices that were treated as sound, acceptable, and wise, Ben has been severely criticized.
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