Father of suspended student & community advocates call for healing after BHAS superintendent “confrontation”

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Community advocates and parents gathered at The African American History & Literature Gallery in Benton Harbor Friday for a fireside chat focused on healing after security footage revealed a confrontation involving the Benton Harbor Area Schools superintendent, Dr. Simone Griffin.

Parents and advocates said the incident reflects deeper, long standing trauma and broken systems. “The community was counting on them to respond,” said Tiana Batiste-Waddell the Executive Director of the Jax Aspire Foundation.

Spencer Harris, whose daughter was suspended after the incident, said he does not accept the district’s apology and shared his daughter’s story in hopes of sparking major change.

“We need to reevaluate every person that works for the school,” said Harris.

The school board says the matter is being handled internally, but those behind the chat, expressed disappointment and urged continued dialogue.

The community is being invited to continue the conversation Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at The Gallery.