Topline
A former staffer at Kanye West’s Christian academies alleges the facilities had empty windows, poor sanitation measures and electrical issues, NBC News reported Thursday—filing a lawsuit that marks the latest set of allegations about safety issues and bizarre practices at the disgraced rapper’s defunct schools.
Kanye West aka Ye is seen wearing a Balenciaga boxing mouthguard, outside Givenchy, during Paris … [+]
Key Facts
The former assistant principal of Yeezy Christian Academy, Isaiah Meadows, claimed in a filing provided to NBC that he was suspended and eventually fired for raising concerns about the school’s infrastructure, which allegedly had no hot water, an overflowing septic tank and poor wiring that once led to an electrical fire.
Meadows also alleged West failed to keep a promise that academy officials would pay Meadows’ rent, which left the former official with tens of thousands of dollars owed in rent for a Calabasas home he moved into.
After being let go from Yeezy Christian Academy, Meadows joined its successor school, Donda Academy, as a teacher’s assistant—and reportedly alleged there was no glass installed in campus windows because West did not like glass, no electricity and a septic tank that overflowed often just like the first campus.
The lawsuit further claims that Meadows complained to West and a former administrator and was fired with no explanation, NBC reports.
A spokesperson for West did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chief Critic
“None of it is true and the allegations do a disservice to the Donda Academy’s current staff and students and their parents who will attest to their positive experience,” Gregory Suhr, one of West’s lawyers, said in a filing last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Forbes Valuation
We estimated West’s net worth at $400 million earlier this year, after he was removed from Forbes’ billionaire list in April following fallout from his antisemitic comments.
Key Background
The lawsuit from Meadows adds to a growing list of allegations against West and his schools. Last year, Donda Academy abruptly closed after West made multiple antisemitic remarks that led to the rapper losing partnerships with companies such as Adidas. Several months after the school shut down, a lawsuit levied by two former teachers alleged the educational facility violated education, health and safety codes. The former teachers also claimed they “were the only female African American teachers” and were racially discriminated against. The lawsuit further alleged that sushi was the only lunch available to students, who were prohibited from bringing outside food or drinks to the school other than water. A third teacher joined the lawsuit last month, alleging, like Meadows and the two former teachers, that she was unfairly fired after raising concerns about the working conditions at Donda Academy.
Further Reading
Ye’s Christian academies had empty windows because the rapper didn’t like glass, ex-official claims in lawsuit (NBC)
Third Fired Teacher Sues Kanye West’s Donda Academy—Claiming Unsafe Conditions, Report Says (Forbes)
Kanye’s School Under Fire: Racial Discrimination, No School Nurse, No Cleaning Staff And Only Sushi Lunches, Suit Claims (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/07/06/kanye-wests-school-had-electrical-problems-and-no-glass-in-windows-teacher-reportedly-says/