SPOKANE, Wash. — A high-ranking Spokane, Washington, city official says he was mistreated by a superior and forced out of his job early because he is Black.
Cupid Alexander announced Monday he was leaving his post as the city’s director of Neighborhoods, Housing and Human Services after less than a year on the job.
He intended to leave on July 31, but City Administrator Johnnie Perkins had him leave earlier. In a letter on Wednesday, Perkins told Alexander his final day would be this Friday, with paid time off used to cover the balance through July 31.
The Spokesman-Review reported that Alexander wrote that he believes he is being pushed out because of his race. Alexander is the only Black division leader in City Hall.
“I’m unsure of why I’m being treated like this – I assume it’s race – but I request fairness is done,” Alexander wrote in an email to Perkins obtained by The Spokesman-Review.
In a statement released by city spokesman Brian Coddington, Mayor Nadine Woodward’s administration called Alexander’s accusations “very serious.”
“Racism has no place in the organization, community, or country,” the Wednesday statement said.
City Councilwoman Karen Stratton is calling for an independent investigation.
“We owe the citizens and our employees that much,” Stratton said.
Councilwoman Lori Kinnear said it was clear that Alexander was forced out.
“The best way to force somebody out is to make their work situation intolerable, which is what happened,” Kinnear said.
Alexander was hired last November to lead the newly-formed Neighborhoods, Housing and Human Services division, which encompasses the city’s homeless and housing programs.
©2021 Cox Media Group
