What’s Going On With Dr. Umar?

For over a decade, Dr. Umar Johnson has been one of the most polarizing figures in Black America. Known as the self-proclaimed “Prince of Pan-Africanism,” Johnson has built his reputation on fiery lectures, unapologetic racial commentary, and an ambitious dream: to create the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey (FDMG) Academy, a school dedicated to the education and empowerment of Black boys.

But today, that dream is hanging by a thread.

A School Facing Auction

On August 13, 2025, reports surfaced that the FDMG Academy campus in Wilmington, Delaware, is facing a sheriff’s sale due to unpaid vacant property registration fees and outstanding utilities. According to Johnson, the city of Wilmington posted the notice of auction directly on the building rather than contacting him by mail, phone, or email. If the debt isn’t settled by August 25, 2025, the property could be sold at auction, effectively ending Johnson’s long-promoted project.

Johnson claims the city is targeting the academy with escalating fees, noting that the vacant property charge is set to jump from $5,000 to $12,000 annually this fall. He argues that such costs are punitive and discriminatory, designed to push the institution into foreclosure.

Frozen Finances

The auction threat comes on the heels of another setback. In July, Johnson revealed that both his personal and the school’s bank accounts had been frozen following alleged hacking attempts. He described the episode as “funny business,” suggesting that shadowy forces are working to sabotage his efforts. The freeze cut off access to funds, donations, and operating capital—making it nearly impossible to address mounting expenses tied to the academy.

The Bigger Picture

For years, Johnson has rallied supporters to invest in his vision of a Pan-African educational institution, one that would liberate Black boys from what he calls the “mis-education” of America’s public school system. He has framed the FDMG Academy as more than a school; to him, it is a cornerstone of Black independence, family restoration, and cultural pride.

But critics have long questioned Johnson’s financial transparency, leadership style, and ability to deliver on promises. The looming auction of the Wilmington property now raises an unavoidable question: can the project survive, or is it yet another cautionary tale of a big idea undone by money and management?

A Call to Action

Johnson has responded to the crisis by calling on his supporters for immediate donations and direct action. He has urged them to protest at Wilmington City Hall and is considering legal action against the city. Framing the battle as part of a larger war against systemic racism, Johnson insists the academy’s survival depends not just on him, but on the collective will of the Black community.

What’s Next?

As the deadline approaches, Johnson finds himself in perhaps the most precarious moment of his public career. If the FDMG Academy is sold at auction, it could mark the end of his decades-long effort to build an independent educational institution. If he can rally enough support to stave off the sale, however, Johnson may emerge with his movement reinvigorated—proof, in his view, that the struggle for Black liberation is alive and well.

For now, one thing is certain: the clock is ticking, and the fate of Dr. Umar Johnson’s dream is on the line.