After backlash from the community, Tennessee State University (TSU) President Dr. Glenda Glover reversed her decision to join CoreCivic’s board. Glover tweeted about the change suddenly, less than a day after CoreCivic had announced her appointment. Glover was expected to assume her position on March 1. In that press release, Glover had only positive things to say about the private prison company.
“Every single day, CoreCivic engages with thousands of individuals in educational programs who have the opportunity to positively change their lives,” stated Glover (pictured above). “As I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the company, it’s clear to me that there is a genuine commitment to progress through innovative reentry programs, strong corporate governance, active public policy support and transparent ESG reporting. I look forward to being an inside voice that can help CoreCivic realize the full potential of its purpose of helping people prepare for the next step in their lives.”
After careful consideration and listening to voices I trust, I have declined the offer to join the CoreCivic Board. Change occurs in the boardroom and we are most often left out of the process. We will continue to develop collaborations that benefit our students and the community pic.twitter.com/5oB8Dxps3A
— Dr. Glenda Glover (@gloverpres) February 19, 2021
Glover appeared to act in response to community outrage over the development. TSU graduates and community leaders, such as Nashville Metro City Council member Delishia Porterfield and Equity Alliance Executive Director Tequila Johnson, had criticized Glover over the decision.
Porterfield called for students to take action on Twitter.
I am deeply disappointed to see that the President of my Alma Mater THE Tennessee State University @TSUedu has accepted a position on the Board of Directors for @CoreCivic, a private, for-profit prison & immigration detention center. 1/4
— Delishia Danielle Porterfield Dares To Reimagine (@Delishia4D29) February 19, 2021
“This will not stop the demand to end private prisons,” wrote Johnson. “Black people aren’t moved by one or two of us with the oppressor. Most of us in leadership understand.”
So CoreCivic appointed The president of Tennessee State university/ president of AKA to its board of directors. This will not stop the demand to end private prisons. Black people aren’t moved by one or two of us smiling with the oppressor. Most of us in leadership understand.
— Tequila Johnson (@Ms_Solutionary) February 19, 2021
In a statement to The Tennessee Star news, CoreCivic Public Affairs Director Amanda Gilchrist shared that the company was disappointed to hear of Glover’s decision.
“Unfortunately, Dr. Glover is experiencing the impact of misinformation about our company and industry that we work hard to address every day,” stated Gilchrist. “We’re committed to having people on our board who will help us realize our full potential, and we had looked forward to having the benefit of Dr. Glover’s unique expertise and perspective. We respect her decision and continue to share her long-standing commitment to education and our local community. We hope to have opportunities to partner with her in the future as we continue our work of helping people prepare for the next step in their lives.”
As The Star reported last fall, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office took over the last private prison in Nashville, run by CoreCivic.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Dr. Glenda Glover” and “Tennessee State University” by Tennessee State University.
So much for anyone who actually wants to attempt to help stem the tide of repeat minority offenders. Those such as Johnson appear to just want to ride the crest to fame.
well she could have done something to ‘change the system’ as a board member. guess she won’t.
Good news! Corecivic is an evil prison privatization corporation. Privatized prisons (unlike state-owned prisons) put both corrections staff and inmates at greater risk for safety than public-runned prisons. Also, privatized prisons with their higher incidents of escapes, inmate insurrections, and general physical plant safety issues, put the general tax-paying public at risk for escapes by violent offenders, etc. These privatized prisons cut corners on safety for both staff and inmates alike just so the company can earn a predatory profit at EVERYBODY’s expense!