N.C. State senior guard Markell Johnson (11) stands over Pittsburgh sophomore guard Xavier Johnson durng the second half at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. NCSU defeated Pitt 77-73. NC State severed ties with CPI Security after racist remarks by CEO Kenneth Gill.
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NC State Athletics Ends CPI Security Partnership After Racist Remark by CEO

Landon Bost

RALEIGH, N.C. –  The NC State athletics department ended its partnership with Charlotte-based company CPI Security today, June 7, after a racially insensitive remark by CEO Kenneth Gill.

“Following recent comments by the CEO of CPI Security,” wrote NC State Athletics in a statement, “effective immediately NC State Athletics is ending any partnerships with CPI Security, including removing all sponsorship signage from our venues.

“NC State Athletics is fully committed to promoting and protecting an atmosphere that values and embraces diversity and inclusion.”

The outcry comes after Queen City Unity Executive Director Jorge Millares received an email response from Gill. Millares wrote a letter to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, the Charlotte City Council and the City Manager’s Office last week addressing police reform and social justice. 

After reading the letter, Gill sent an insensitive and racist response where even misspelled the Charlotte activist’s name.

According to Millares, the response is “beyond reprehensible.”

“George, please spend your time in a more productive way. I challenge your statistics,” wrote Gill.

“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. Have a great day. Ken Gill.”

Gill and CPI Security issued an apology statement via Twitter yesterday evening.

After George Floyd died at the hands of police brutality, it seems like sports teams and companies are moving beyond eloquent PR statements to address racial inequity in their communities.

The Carolina Panthers dropped their partnership with CPI Security yesterday, and the University of South Carolina athletics department, Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Knights followed in line with NC State today.

Last Friday, Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand announced, that over the next 10 years, they plan to donate $100 million to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.

Athletes from the college teams in The Triangle have been in the frontlines of peaceful protests throughout the area.

Despite the cancellation of a demonstration yesterday on-campus, NC State athletes including Elissa Cunane and Kayla Jones marched in solidarity with other members of their college community.

Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost.