Charlotte YMCA, Bojangles cut ties over CPI Security CEO Gill’s protest remarks
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte will no longer name a new facility in the Steele Creek neighborhood after CPI Security CEO Ken Gill, following Gill’s remarks about protests in response to the death of George Floyd.
In addition, Charlotte-based restaurant chain Bojangles said Tuesday it is ending its relationship with CPI.
The controversy involves Gill’s response to a mass email sent out by a local nonprofit, Queen City Unity, which called for action in response to killings of black people like Floyd, who died with a Minneapolis policeman kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes.
“Please spend your time in a more productive way,” Gill responded in an email, which Queen City Unity leader Jorge Millares posted on Facebook. “A better use of time would be to focus on the black on black crime and senseless killing of our young men by other young men.”
Gill, who founded CPI 29 years ago, apologized publicly for the second time in a video the company distributed by email Tuesday. He called it a mistake he deeply regrets.
“My hasty response to an email from a former employee was wrong as it undermined the importance of peaceful protests occurring in our nation,” Gill said. “These demonstrations are prompting powerful conversations to better understand the roots of racial injustice and inequality.”
The YMCA said in a statement that its board voted on its decision to cut ties with Gill on Monday. The YMCA has offered to return funds that Gill and his wife, Malinda, provided as lead contributors.
“We are aware of CPI CEO Ken Gill’s recent email comments,” the Y’s statement read. “We denounce these comments that were hurtful and are at odds with our intent to be a unifying force, a community convener and a place free of racism.”
Bojangles issued a statement saying it is dropping CPI service as quickly as possible for its Charlotte support center and more than 300 company-owned stores.
“Bojangles stands against racism and injustice of any kind,” Bojangles CEO Jose Armario said in a statement. Bojangles was founded in Charlotte in 1977.
Three Charlotte professional sports franchises — the Hornets, Panthers and Knights — all ended sponsorship agreements with CPI over the weekend, after Gill’s remarks became public, in addition to N.C. State and the University of South Carolina.
Last November, the YMCA announced plans for a 14,000-square foot facility to be built on 30 acres along Highway 160. Gill and his wife were announced as the primary donors.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 11:14 AM.
