Pastor advised political nonprofit, lobbied CMS candidates to make him superintendent
A Charlotte pastor advised a nonprofit on which Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board candidates to support and lobbied candidates in the race to make him the system’s next superintendent, according to three sources with direct knowledge.
The sources told The Charlotte Observer Dennis Williams, pastor of Faith Memorial Baptist Church, consulted businessman McGhie Allan, who moved to the Charlotte area from California, on which school board candidates to support with his Success 4 CMS, Inc., group. Allan’s group is incorporated as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit.
Two of the sources interacted with representatives of Success 4 CMS and told the Observer Williams joined a meeting with Allan. Conversation during the meeting made it clear Williams was providing advice, one source said.
Williams is a leader of the African American Faith Alliance for Educational Advancement, a Charlotte-based group whose mission is to “engage, educate and empower African-American parents and community members” in public education. The AAFA has publicly criticized CMS and how it’s dealing with the achievement gap between Black and white students.
Success 4 CMS has spent more than $19,000 in this year’s school board races, including buying two billboards and campaign signs. It doesn’t appear the group has donated directly to any candidate campaigns.
Allan did not return a request for comment Friday. Williams has not returned numerous requests for comment over the past few months, including a request Friday.
Hugh Hattabaugh was named the district’s interim superintendent in April after the board voted 7-2 to fire former superintendent Earnest Winston. Hattabaugh’s contract runs through June 30, 2023.
‘A new board @ CMS’
Allan is a real estate executive, according to his Linkedin profile. State Board of Elections data show James McGhie Allan registered to vote in Mecklenburg County in October 2020.
In December 2021, Allan posted a photo of the Charlotte skyline on his personal Facebook page that said: “Accountability for CMS Coming 2022.” In another update the same day, he posted a photo with a message saying: “Dear Santa, All I want for Xmas is a new board @ CMS.” In the comment section, Allan wrote: “Its happening! PAC coming 2022 to support candidates who are focused (on) the safety and success of our kids!”
Success 4 CMS, created during the spring, has spent $19,143 with Adams Outdoor Advertising in Charlotte since Oct. 7, according to an amended expenditure report filed Thursday with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.
Patrick Gannon, a State Board of Elections spokesman, said a 501(c)(4) such as Success 4 CMS can make contributions to candidates in limited circumstances. A 501(c)(4) organization, sometimes called a “social welfare” group, “may engage in political campaigns, provided that such activities are not the organization’s primary activity,” according to the IRS.
It’s generally understood the groups may spend up to 49.9% of their resources on political activity. It’s not clear whether Success 4 CMS has spent a majority, of its funds on campaign efforts.
The group retained attorney Larry Shaheen to keep its books and accounts. It has spent at least $7,800 to oppose Carol Sawyer, an incumbent seeking reelection in east Charlotte’s District 4, and more than $5,900 to support Sean Strain, an incumbent seeking reelection in southern Mecklenburg’s District 6.
The organization also spent $1,820 to support Stephanie Sneed, who faces Sawyer in District 4; $1,820 to support Lisa Cline, a candidate in District 5; and $1,788 to support Hamani Fisher, a candidate in District 1, according to the report.
Lobbying for superintendent
Williams met with at least two school board candidates to encourage them to make him the next superintendent if they win, sources with direct knowledge told the Observer this week. In one telephone conversation, Williams said “you need to put me as superintendent” if they were elected. Success 4 CMS has not supported any of the people who spoke to the Observer.
James Alverson, the campaign manager for District 2 candidate Juanrique Hall, told the Observer in an email he met with a team of people that included Williams on Aug. 10 at Another Broken Egg, a cafe in the Ballantyne area. Alverson said he was asked by Williams, who claimed to represent the AAFA, to approach Hall about dropping out of the race.
“(I informed him) that Juan would not be dropping out,” Alverson said.
Hall is facing Monty Witherspoon and incumbent Thelma Byers-Bailey in District 2. Success 4 CMS has endorsed Witherspoon.
About six days before the school board met April 19 and voted to fire Winston, board members started receiving emails suggesting Williams be named CMS’ new superintendent.
The Observer obtained some of the emails calling for Williams to be the next leader. One board member who spoke to the Observer said she received a call from Rev. Ricky Woods of the AAFA “suggesting Williams would be a great fit.” After initial publication of this story, Woods told the Observer he made no such call or statement.
Williams is a former teacher and coach and served as a regional superintendent for CMS, according to his biography page on the Faith Memorial Baptist Church website. CMS confirmed Williams was acting superintendent from December 1995 to July 1996.
The new board, which will be seated Dec. 13, will begin its search for a new superintendent after the first of the year.
This story was originally published November 5, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
