Alma Stallworth — Dynasty Matriarch

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Position

FieldValue
NameAlma G. Stallworth
OfficeMichigan House of Representatives — 21 years
FoundedBlack Caucus Foundation of Michigan (BCF)
BCF salary (2015)$18,000 (per IRS Form 990)

The Foundation She Built

Alma Stallworth served 21 years in the Michigan Legislature and founded the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan. The BCF’s stated mission, per its 2015 federal tax return: “to decrease usage of drugs and alcohol among youth.”

The foundation she built became the institutional vehicle her son Keith used while managing a federal guilty plea for laundering money from illegal activities through a strip club. The same foundation incubated Brian Banks — a 9-time convicted felon who now runs two charter schools at 3% math proficiency.

Family

PersonRoleStatus
Keith StallworthSon — State Rep, Wayne Co. CommissionerFederal guilty plea (2003) — gang money laundering
Thomas Stallworth IIISon — State Rep (2011-2015)Director, BCF; husband of Nicole Wells-Stallworth
Nicole Wells-StallworthDaughter-in-lawMacDowell Board President; hired Brian Banks
Misha Stallworth WestGranddaughterDPSCD Board Member — authorizes MacDowell charter
Nicole StallworthDaughter-in-law (Keith’s wife)BCF Executive Director ($47,294 salary, 2015)

Legacy

Alma Stallworth’s 21-year legislative career represented genuine public service. This profile does not question that legacy.

But institutions outlive intentions. The BCF she founded became a vehicle for her son’s money laundering, a haven for convicted felons on its board, and the social network through which Brian Banks was connected to the family that would hire him to run a school.

The question is not whether Alma Stallworth intended this outcome. The question is why the institution she built was never held accountable when it became obvious what it had become.

Verify

  • Michigan Legislature archives
  • IRS Form 990 (2015): Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan
  • Free Press (Apr 2018): BCF reporting

All sources are public records.