Posted by denised in 
Barbara McKinzie in wax
Proving that men don’t own the market on really bad bosses, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority national president and former Chicago Housing Authority comptroller Barbara McKinzie has amassed a long list of really bad behavior that’s raised the ire of sorority members nationwide. Among the things McKinzie is accused of doing:
- Commissioning a $900,000 wax figure of herself
- Taking almost $400,000 of organization funds for personal expenses
- Arranging for a $4,000 monthly personal stipend to be paid after she leaves office
- Using the group’s American Express card to buy designer clothing, lingerie and jewelry, then redeeming points to get among other things, a 46-inch HDTV for personal use.
In her defense, McKinzie says she’s done nothing wrong and that the accusations are retaliation against her for enforcing the organization’s stringent financial standards. She says the wax statue in question along with that of AKA’s first national president, Nellie Quander, cost a total of $45,000 and that the statues are being prepped for display at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore.
Members are now suing to oust McKinzie for misappropriation of funds. And, despite her denials, it’ll be pretty hard to refute evidence of misusing the credit cards. If the accusations are true, it makes you wonder how well she managed finances as Chicago’s Housing Authority comptroller. I smell an investigation. Members have had issues with AKA and it’s leadership for years, questioning membership dues, registration fees and McKinzie’s compensation. But, this is one of the few times the discord has made it to the national stage.
$900,000 wax statues, excessive personal expenses and misappropriation of organization funds are a serious betrayal of trust to the organizations’ 50,000 active members, and fly in the face of AKA’s ideals of sisterhood, ethics and service. Thoughts?
Get more details on McKinzie and the Chicago chapter’s fight to have her ousted here.
