FSU severs ties with Childers Construction after blackface photos surface

Sarah Howard felt there was something inappropriate when she discovered photos on Facebook showing prominent Tallahassee businessman Sam Childers wearing blackface during a 2015 engagement party that fell on Halloween.

Howard said the photos were posted by a Childers family member, whom she knew from their days at Leon High School in the mid-2000s. 

She was concerned because he is co-owner and vice president of Childers Construction Company, which has earned millions of dollars from projects at Florida State University, her alma mater, over the past 20 years.

The photos were floated on social media more than a year ago. Howard, who discovered them last year, sent them in June to top university brass. 

“My primary goal was to implore Florida State to consider condemning this behavior, which was in violation of their equal opportunity and nondiscrimination statements, and to consider cutting future ties with Childers Construction,” she said. “It showed a lack of respect and a general callousness for his employees and employers.”

President John Thrasher took heed of the concerns, deciding to sever the university’s continuing service agreement with Childers, one of the university’s most prominent construction contractors. He informed Childers of the move in a June 11 letter, obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat through a public records request.

“Florida State University has high standards and expectations on matters related to civility and respect," Thrasher wrote in a June 11 letter to Childers. "As president, I expect respectful conduct from both our campus family and from partners who do business with the university."

Childers apologized profusely in a letter sent to Thrasher and the Board of Trustees on June 2, the same day Howard’s email landed at FSU. He also denied any racist intent.

Childers said he dressed up as Bob Marley, one of his musical heroes, more than five years ago at an engagement party held on Halloween.

“In no way did I intend to defame anyone of color," Childers wrote. "From the bottom of my heart, I can attest that this was not the product of ill intentions or prejudicial feelings."

Thrasher, in his letter, told Childers that the university determined his "objectionable behavior" violated FSU’s core values and contractual requirements.

"To that end, Florida State will cancel this continuing service agreement," Thrasher wrote. "Other existing company contracts that had previously been entered into before June 1 will be honored.”

Childers Construction currently is working on the Hoffman Teaching Laboratory renovations project and renovations to the third floor of Biology Unit 1 on campus.

The decision comes at a time when activist students and faculty are challenging the university on issues of racial disparities and perceived inequities. Last week, Thrasher appointed 30 members to the President's Task Force on Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion to address concerns.

More:Eppes statue removed from FSU as Thrasher announces anti-racism task force

The panel will make final recommendations on symbols and names of buildings on campus, including the Francis Eppes statue, Eppes Hall and Doak S. Campbell Stadium, and will examine how to best reflect FSU’s values on race and ethnicity.

'Take swift action'

Howard, who serves as director of development for the ACLU in Nashville, said the photos appeared in a public platform "as if there was nothing wrong with it."

“As an alumna of Florida State, but more importantly one of many voices calling for solidarity, support and action on behalf of our Black and underrepresented communities, I caution you to take swift action to end any current and future contracts with Childers Construction due to his racist behavior, lest your indifference cement FSU as a complacent bystander to oppression," she wrote.

Childers, in his letter to Thrasher, said he learned the photo was posted more than five years ago on Facebook as part of an album of Halloween costumes from the party.

“Recently, someone has tried to use it against me by making it look like I was intentionally trying to offend and hurt others — and by sending the photo to people in our community," he wrote. "As a human, a father and a business owner, I do not support or tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind."

He said he now knows his behavior could "hurt or offend" others and pledged not to do it again.

"Like others, my awareness has since been raised about how acts like this are viewed by many people of color, and others, taking into consideration and looking back to a practice that was offensive and dehumanizing," Childers wrote.

Childers emailed Thrasher on June 3, saying he was enrolling that day in an ethnic sensitivity class. Thrasher acknowledged his efforts but was unpersuaded.

“Now more than ever, it is important for each of us to embrace opportunities to become better informed about racial inequalities and dehumanizing behaviors,” he said. “Your readiness to enroll in an ethnic sensitivity course is a positive reflection of your intentions to learn and grow."

A key contractor

Sam Childers, a graduate of Leon High, played tight end for the Seminoles from 1976 to 1981.

The company was the construction manager for the new Champions Club and elevator towers at Doak Campbell Stadium and completed renovations, painting and enhancements to the stadium, a project worth $97 million.

Their many projects for FSU include the FSU PrimaryHealth Center in southwest Tallahassee, the $8 million renovation of The Don Veller Seminole Golf Course and Club, the $17 million Tucker Center renovations and the indoor practice facility on campus.

In a 2016 interview with Construction Today, the company’s project manager Jason Gassett, referring to the Champion’s Club project as one of many for FSU, said “We’ve been working at FSU for 20 years … We take care of them.”

FSU was Childers' largest client. The company's other projects include Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s Cancer Center, the cathedral at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, renovations to St. John’s Episcopal Church and Capital Health Plan’s Metropolitan Center.

Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College have not had construction projects managed by Childers in recent years.

Sam Childers' complete statement to the Tallahassee Democrat

"I am so proud of the strong and positive reputation that we have spent so many years building at Childers Construction, just as we are so proud of our professional work building so many important projects for a great and diverse set of clients. We have helped build for the future in our community and in other places where we have been privileged to earn the opportunity to work.

"I want to issue a heartfelt apology for my regrettable mistake in judgment that I made six years ago, when I dressed up as Bob Marley, one of my music idols, to attend a combination engagement and Halloween party for my daughter. I realize now that, despite my innocent intent, that choice by me came off as offensive, insensitive, and wrong. I wish I could go back and NOT make the same decision, but instead, I can only offer this deeply sincere apology.  

"Over the years, those who know me and our company, personally and professionally, also know that I am dedicated to equality for all -- in every sphere of influence. I also want our friends, neighbors, and clients to know that we will remain steadfast in supporting diversity and inclusion issues in this important era that provides the opportunity for meaningful and overdue change.

"Again, I deeply regret my actions that have caused hurt and offense to anyone.

"I appreciate the opportunity to prove again, by all that we are committed to doing to make positive contributions to our community, state, and nation."   

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.

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