Another senior executive of color has stepped down from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.
chris bijoux, who was head of organizational development and learning, officially left the authority earlier than expected in solidarity with the organization’s former CEO. His last day was Wednesday after announcing that he would step down at the end of the year.
bijoux supports Marcel Vernon Sr., the authority’s former CEO who stepped down last Friday. bijoux called the authority a place of “manufactured dysfunction,” and said the organization’s culture lacks transparency, communication and a clear chain of command.
“I’ve never met a less communicative senior leadership team in my life,” he told GBH News. “At least I’ve not directly been a part of one.”
Starting in January, bijoux will be working part-time with Georgetown University’s Center for Youth Justice and returning to his personal consulting business.
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority is an independent public authority that owns and operates several public facilities, primarily for conventions and trade shows.
Former CEO Vernon’s attorney sent a letter to the authority’s board chair defending Vernon’s tenure at the organization and accusing the chair of directing “extra-legal” activities. The letter also claims that Vernon was asked to repeatedly “disregard and ... violate” procurement requirements.
The authority and its board chair, Emme Handy, did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement to GBH News, Vernon said bijoux’s departure “signals unresolved challenges around continuity, culture and how leadership is supported and governed” at the authority.
All members of the authority’s board voted “yes” to confirm Vernon’s departure, except for Handy, who abstained.
bijoux said that his resignation was not just in solidarity with Vernon, but a commitment to his own personal ethics.
“Had I stayed, I would have violated my sense of duty to the work, I would have violated my own ethical code and I would have violated what my ancestors sacrificed by staying,” bijoux told GBH News. “Unfortunately, what I have seen in this work across the state and across this country is that we are left on an island by ourselves, and no one supports us.”
The most recent resignation is another stain on the authority that has had a history of racial discrimination and leadership changes in recent years.
An independent investigation in 2023 found a pattern of racial discrimination against employees and vendors at the authority.
Multiple legislative committees are currently investigating the authority. The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight has also launched an investigation into the convention center authority, alleging mismanagement of public funds and corruption.
Next month, the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion will hold a hearing on reforms at the convention center authority. Vernon had agreed to testify. His separation agreement doesn’t limit his ability to speak publicly.
In an open letter sent out on Friday, bijoux said the authority’s reputation was “never lost on him” but was optimistic that the tide had changed. Vernon’s tenure brought in more leaders of color than the organization had previously had.
He said the authority has a history of rampant “nepotism and cronyism.”
“In order for the authority to be better and to do better and to overcome those things, it has to first be willing to excavate those hard truths and shed a light on that reputation,” bijoux said. “[Vernon] was willing to excavate; he was willing to shed a light where people didn’t want a light shone on.”
Gov. Maura Healey acknowledged the convention center’s recent challenges but also said there have been some improvements. Healey replaced most of the MCCA’s board in 2023.
“It’s super important with the year we have coming up, especially,” Healey said at an unrelated event Wednesday. “We’ve got the World Cup, Tall Ships, MA 250. We want the convention center to be strong and well-run and well-functioning.”
The hearing from the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion will be on Jan. 6.
Katie Lannan contributed reporting.
