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→Scandal involving Mandissa Thomas who is the president of Black Nonbelievers, Inc.
''See also:'' [[Atheist organizations and scandals]] and [[Atheist scandals]]
''See also:'' [[Atheist organizations and scandals]] and [[Atheist scandals]]
On December 20, 2022, the Religion News Service reported:
{{Cquote|The annual SeaCon cruise and conference is meant to be a high point of the year for members of Black Nonbelievers Inc., a nonprofit that offers community to Black Americans who live “free of religion.”
However, this year’s conference, held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, has left a rift in the organization, with leaders at most of the group’s local chapters quitting and raising questions about one of the most prominent Black atheists in the country.
In a statement dated Dec. 5, leaders from five chapters — in New York; Detroit; Portland, Ore.; Louisville, Ky.; and Washington, D.C. — said they were cutting ties with Black Nonbelievers and its president, Mandisa Thomas.
The letter mentioned “events that culminated horribly” during the cruise but did not give specifics.
“As leaders, we should take pride in modeling and rewarding the right way to treat people who follow our example,” they wrote. “While certain behaviors may be acceptable even as key goals are met, we conclude that to permit unethical behavior(s) behind the scenes will lead — and is leading — to a loss of good people and reputation for the organization that we love and spent ten years to build.”
Before the letter from chapter leaders was made public, Black Nonbelievers had 8 local chapters, though some were dormant.<ref>[https://religionnews.com/2022/12/20/black-atheist-leader-squit-black-nonbelievers-over-alleged-misconduct-by-president-mandisa-thomas/ Black atheist leaders quit Black Nonbelievers over alleged misconduct by president]</ref>}}
On February 1, 2023 the Religious News Service reported in an article entitled ''[[American Atheists]] board members exit, dogged by misconduct allegations'':
On February 1, 2023 the Religious News Service reported in an article entitled ''[[American Atheists]] board members exit, dogged by misconduct allegations'':