Charlotte’s ”Racial Equity Initiative” director resigns 10 days after starting job

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles answers a question during a mayoral debate. Lyles is opposed by Charlotte City Councilman Kenny Smith in the general election. Lyles claimed victory Tuesday night, Nov. 7, in the race to become the next mayor of North Carolina's largest city. (AP Photo/Skip Foreman, File)

CHARLOTTE — The person hired to run a controversial public-private partnership to address “racial equity” in Charlotte resigned following an investigation into her previous job in the state of Ohio. 

Axios Charlotte and WCNC reported that Kimberly Henderson resigned on Sunday, Feb. 13. She was the subject of a criminal investigation of her handling of unemployment money with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she previously worked. Ohio’s attorney general specified concerns about more than $400 million in taxpayer money. 

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The initiative has been fraught with concerns about transparency. 

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles apologized in Nov. 2021 for keeping the city council in the dark on discussions concerning the effort. The initiative has a budget of $250 million, made up of taxpayer and private funds.