Tax docs show BLM foundation directed millions to people with close ties to its leadership

WASHINGTON (TND) — A new tax filing from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) shows it doled out millions to people and companies with close ties to the organization's co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, and other BLM leadership.

The scrutiny comes after the release of BLMGNF’s first tax filing fully revealing the nature of its financial activity since becoming a multi-million-dollar charity following the outburst of social justice activism in 2020, stemming from the death of George Floyd.

The filings reveal that Damon Turner, the father of Cullors’ only child, received nearly a million dollars ($969,459) from BLMGNF through his art firm, Trap Heals LLC. Turner’s company was hired to produce live events and provide other creative services, according to Shalomyah Bowers, a member of BLM’s board of directors, ABC News reported.

Additionally, a security firm run by Cullors’ brother, Paul, received $840,993 from BLMGNF, the filings revealed.

Because of the nature of the BLM movement, known for its aggressive protests against law enforcement organizations, Bowers said BLMGNF felt it could not trust former police professionals who typically run security firms, according to ABC News. Bowers pointed out BLMGNF sought bids from other security contractors.

A consulting firm run by Bowers, who previously served as BLMGNF’s deputy executive director and is reportedly a close associate to Cullors, raked in $2.1 million for various management services, the filings also showed.

And New Impact Partners LLC, a social justice organization run by the sister of Raymond Howard, another BLMGNF board member, and the charity’s operations director, received nearly $110,000 from BLMGNF for “fundraising counsel activities.”

Cullors resigned from her position as BLMGNF’s executive director a year ago after her finances came under scrutiny. However, considering she was the only person on the charity’s board of directors from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, the time period covered in BLMGNF’s recent tax filing, Cullors ultimately had exclusive control over how the charity spent its funds, according to The Washington Examiner.

The latest tax filings from BLMGNF show several other suspect payments, as well as its purchase of a nearly $6 million mansion near Malibu, California, which has come under question since New York Magazine released an investigation into the donor-funded purchase and why it was made.

The National Desk (TND) reached out to BLMGNF for comment on the charity's recent tax filing, but did not hear back prior to publication. If a response is received, it will be added to this story.