*If you are Black and are looking for a job in Hoschton, i.e., Georgia’s largely white town, then you should probably read this.

Last year, Mayor Theresa Kenerly had allegedly spoken to a member of City Council proudly stating that she had ‘yanked’ Keith Henry’s resume out of a group of 4 finalists – simply because he was Black and the city wasn’t ready for this. Henry, on the other hand, was a strong candidate for the job since he a talented individual and was qualified enough for the job.

So, the city wasn’t ready for a Black executive?

Here’ What Happened

Henry had stated that he had been interviewed on the phone by Kenerly. At the time, he didn’t think she was particularly racist.  The racist comments were, in fact, whispered over to a previously unnamed City Council member during a closed-door meeting. Eventually, Kenerly was thrown under the bus by Councilwoman Hope Weeks.

According to the Atlanta Journal Weeks stated, “She proceeded to tell me that the candidate was real good, but he was Black, and we don’t have a big Black population and she just didn’t think Hoschton was ready for that.”

Naturally, the NAACP called for an investigation for Kenerly’s comments along with Jim Cleveland, who had stated that he opposed interracial marriage. Funnily enough, when Kenerly was approached by reporters, she said, “I can’t say I said it or not said it.”

She may have realized that she sounded guilty because she issued another statement later saying, “I do not recall making the statement attributed to me regarding any applicant for the City Administrator position, and I deny that I made any statement that suggest (sic) prejudice.”

Repercussions

When it seemed like Kenerly and Cleveland aren’t going to resign, the residents of Hoschton formed a campaign to force them out of office. After the allegations had been made, Councilman Cleveland was forced to resign, saying that he’d rather leave office in his own terms. Before leaving, he also let people know that he ‘understood’ why Kenerly said what she said. Kenerly, on the other hand, resigned a short while later.

As of now, Hoschton’s city code reads, “There shall be no discrimination exercised because of race, national origin, color, religion, creed, age, sex … All personnel actions shall be based solely on individual merit and fitness.”

 

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