It is generally a fine practice for nonprofit boards to announce when a "beloved" executive retires. At minimum, staff, funders, constituents, vendors and other stakeholders really do want to know when there's a change in leadership and what's next. The board that makes a public statement effectively gets ahead of the crowd.
But sometimes, getting ahead of the crowd, ESPECIALLY if the real story does not match the reality behind the announcement. In the case of the National Museum of African American Music. The board announced, with glowing warmth that it's exec was moving on. The exec essentially said nothing.
But wouldn't you know it that there was another story which came out only after the now ex-exec announced he was suing the Museum for unpaid severance which while substantive, was due based on an agreement likely made upon their hiring. But just after his announcement, the board released the following statement from the Nashville Business Journal:
"the museum raises a different money issue: the former CEO's "fiscal management practices during his tenure.""
Is there a lesson for all boards?