Dr. Umar Johnson, an influential Afrocentric motivational speaker and self-styled “Prince of Pan-Africanism,” has spent over a decade raising funds to establish the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy—his proposed educational institution dedicated to serving Black youth. Ever since securing a property in Wilmington, Delaware, his efforts have frequently encountered financial and logistical roadblocks, prompting repeated fundraising appeals.
The Present Crisis: Auction Warning
On August 5, 2025, the City of Wilmington issued a notice to auction off the FDMG Academy campus due to unpaid vacant property registration fees, which have gone unpaid for four years. Dr. Johnson also reports indebtedness for utility bills.
The city allegedly communicated only by posting a notice on the school’s door—no email, call, or letter was sent. Johnson contends he attempted for four months to have a nonprofit fee waiver applied, yet the city ignored his requests.
According to Dr. Johnson’s statements, the registration fee is increasing substantially from $5,000 to $12,000 annually this fall. If the outstanding fees and utilities are not paid by Sunday, September 25, 2025, the property faces auction.
Personal & Organizational Financial Strain
Dr. Johnson notes that both his personal and the academy’s bank accounts have been frozen. He questions the timing of the auction notice, implying it may be retaliatory or discriminatory. The financial freeze has severely limited his ability to resolve the issues.
Call to Supporters & Planned Actions
In response, Dr. Johnson has launched a public plea for donations via PayPal and Venmo to save the academy. He is also calling for supporters to join a protest march at Wilmington City Hall, citing racism and discriminatory treatment. Additionally, he plans to sue the city for wrongful actions based on race.
Context and Public Reaction
Multiple media platforms—blogs, Instagram, and YouTube—have covered this unfolding story, reflecting a mix of sympathy and criticism. Headlines like “I’m Broke and Losing the School,” and calls from commentators like Tariq Nasheed reacting to Umar Johnson “begging for donations” underscore the controversy and polarizing nature of the situation.
The cause of crisis are years of unpaid vacant property registration and utility bills.
The notice Issued August 5, 2025, by the City of Wilmington and the deadline is on September 25, 2025, to pay the funds or face auction.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a critical juncture for a project decades in the making. With less than six weeks before the scheduled auction, the situation remains perilous. Whether through fundraising, legal action, or public pressure, Dr. Johnson and his supporters are scrambling to prevent a fate that would likely dissolve this long-promised academy. The road ahead is uncertain, and the stakes—both symbolic and practical—are high.
