Despite the recommendation by the tenure committee, her tenure was initially denied by the UNC board of trustees. After protests from alumni, faculty and students, the board changed its decision and offered tenure.
Hannah-Jones rejected the offer from her alma mater, and she accepted a tenured position as the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University — a historically Black university based in Washington, DC.
“We believe this settlement will help support the ongoing work towards addressing racial inequity at the university,” Nelson added.
The University of North Carolina confirmed the settlement to CNN.
“The steps taken to resolve the lingering potential legal action posed by Ms. Hannah-Jones will hopefully help to close this chapter and give the University the space to focus on moving forward,” David Boliek, UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees chair, said.
Associate Vice Chancellor of University Communications Beth Keith called the settlement “an important step forward as Carolina focuses on its future and continues to educate the next generation of leaders.”
“As a part of the agreement, the university will accelerate its investment in crucial initiatives in Carolina Next, its strategic plan, to further that ongoing work,” Keith added.