Updated July 23, 2024, at 8:14 pm to include an emailed statement from EECM.
LGBTQ Community members and allies who support the East End Cooperative Ministry have become incensed by recent developments out of the high-profile non-profit. Last week within days of each other, the only two LGBTQ managers at EECM were told they no longer had jobs. Vice President of Development Michael Bartley was told his position was being eliminated. Pantry Manager Krista Brolley was outright terminated.
Michael Bartley is a long-time LGBTQ Community advocate, formerly serving as a Commissioner on the City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission and has served on other non-profit and LGBTQ boards. Krista Brolley was popular among EECM volunteers and pantry clients.
“Honoring my attorney’s advice, I can’t comment on this,” Bartley told QBurgh when contacted Monday.
“I think I was targeted,” Brolley said when asked if she believed she was terminated because she identifies as LGBTQ. “I felt like they had been targeting me since the Reverend came on board.” Brolley says that she has begun the process of filing a complaint with the City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission.
East End Cooperative Ministry’s CEO is Reverend Darnell Leonard, who also serves as Pastor at Sanctuary of Praise Church in Homewood. The mission of EECM is to change the lives of people facing the impacts of poverty. Repeated calls to Reverend Leonard at both EECM and Sanctuary of Praise went unanswered.
In an emailed statement, EECM Board Chair David J. McAllister said:
“Over the past several weeks, EECM has undertaken a review of its operations which has resulted in a significant restructuring of the organization. The goal of this restructuring is to ensure the long-term viability of EECM and to enhance our relationships with donor foundations. To that end, our current CEO, Reverend Darnell Leonard, will be stepping into a new role and we will begin a search for a new CEO. Once on board, three Vice Presidents will be reporting to the CEO — a VP of Children & Youth Services, a VP of Community Programs, and a VP of Finance and Administration. The restructuring did include elimination or changes in roles at EECM. At no point was the sexual orientation of any employee ever considered. Our only goal is to strengthen the organization in order to continue to serve the many members of our community who rely on our services.”
The City of Pittsburgh has legal protections against LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Sources familiar with the work of EECM tell QBurgh that Bartley was credited with bringing millions of dollars in foundation and donor funding to the organization in his role as Vice President of Development.
In an all-staff email shared with QBurgh, Reverend Leonard wrote “It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Michael Bartley. Michael has been a great leader at EECM in development and all programs.” With such high praise, questions remain as to why the only two LGBTQ managers were let go.
