Incoming Elmhurst D205 Official Used Racial Slur In 2017

ELMHURST, IL – Older social media messages from an incoming Elmhurst school administrator are attracting local attention.

On Aug. 3, Brandi Greene, who holds a doctorate, will become the assistant principal at Sandburg Middle School, replacing Jeff Gail.

Her social media posts are making the rounds in Elmhurst.

Greene could not be reached for comment.

In July 2017, Greene, who operates on Facebook as "Brandi Michelle," wrote a racial slur used against African Americans.

"N---as stay yelling they grown until it's time to make GROWN," said Greene, who is Black.

Two days later, she wrote, "If God did it for OJ, surely he's the same God that'll do it for (fictional character) James St. Patrick and R. Kelly! #theyallinnocent lol."

A year ago, Greene weighed in on women.

"I pray for the day we start teaching women how to be more accountable for their actions, especially when dating," she said. "How to make wiser decisions. We do a lot of blame shifting when we played a role in the infliction of our own wounds. Guard YOUR heart (Proverbs)........your heart is your responsibility."

She continued, "It ain't always JUST everybody else........ #talkingtometoo #whydidyouendupthere."

In June 2020, she apparently took aim at other Facebook commenters.

"Y'all so quick to say what someone not doing and YOU not doing anything but sitting on your dirty couches, making statuses! SHUT UP! Yall irritate me."

Since the recent circulation of her messages, Greene appears to have made her Facebook page largely private.

In a statement to Patch on Tuesday, District 205's superintendent, Keisha Campbell, said the district was aware of the posts that some residents have shared.

"The concerns raised were taken very seriously," she said.

Campbell said the posts could be read and interpreted in different ways. Because of that, she said, the district wanted to take time to connect with Greene.

"While social media posts can provide insight into an individual's thoughts at a particular moment in time, they do not always provide a complete picture of a person's beliefs, growth, experiences, or character," Campbell said. "Some of the posts that were shared date back as far as 2017, and as with all of us, experiences over time can lead to personal growth, reflection, and changes in perspective."

Through the district's conversations with Greene, she demonstrated a "thoughtful reflection and an understanding of the concerns that were raised," the superintendent said.

"She articulated how her perspectives have evolved over time and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting, empowering, and advocating for every student," Campbell said. "She also expressed a genuine willingness to continue listening, building trust, and fostering an inclusive school environment where all students feel valued, respected, and supported."

Sandburg's principal, Joshua Louis, is taking a principal's job in another district. His last day was Tuesday.

The district plans to appoint an interim principal at Sandburg for the next year.

A few years ago, District 205 dealt with another controversy involving a racial slur.

In 2021, the district hired an $800-a-day consultant who had been accused of verbally abusing more than 20 Chicago school administrators.

The leader of Chicago's principals association alleged that the consultant, who is African American, had used the N-word in the presence of witnesses.

In the wake of the controversy, the consultant resigned from his Elmhurst job shortly after the school board approved him.