Black Lives Matter Lake County Founder Resigns After Viral Fight Video

Clyde McLemore takes responsibility for his role in the altercation with a female contractor.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Clyde McLemore, the founder and executive director of Black Lives Matter Lake County, has announced his plans to resign from his position following the release of a viral video showing an altercation between him and a female contractor, Nyesha Hill, at the organization's new resource center in Waukegan, Illinois.

Why it matters

The resignation of the founder of a prominent local Black Lives Matter chapter raises questions about the organization's leadership and ability to maintain focus on its mission in the face of internal conflicts. The incident also highlights the challenges nonprofit leaders can face in managing workplace disputes.

The details

The altercation between McLemore and Hill took place about a month after the ribbon-cutting for the Black Lives Matter Lake County Resource Center. According to a police report, the two were seen on surveillance video pushing and hitting each other in an office stairwell. Hill had been hired as an independent contractor to pursue grants for the organization, and the dispute apparently arose over payment. McLemore called the police, but no arrests were made.

  • The altercation occurred on October 24, 2026.
  • Hill had not worked at the office since December 10, 2026, but returned on January 12, 2027 to demand payment, leading to the renewed confrontation.

The players

Clyde McLemore

The founder and executive director of Black Lives Matter Lake County, who has announced his plans to resign from his position following the viral video of the altercation with a female contractor.

Nyesha Hill

An independent contractor hired by Black Lives Matter Lake County to pursue grants, who was involved in the altercation with Clyde McLemore that was captured on video.

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What they’re saying

“I know that I am expected to handle difficult moments with patience and restraint. I take responsibility for my part in what happened.”

— Clyde McLemore, Founder and Executive Director, Black Lives Matter Lake County (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

McLemore says he is actively seeking a community leader to take over his role as executive director in order to carry on the mission of Black Lives Matter Lake County without any distractions.

The takeaway

The resignation of the Black Lives Matter Lake County founder highlights the challenges nonprofit leaders can face in managing internal conflicts, and the importance of maintaining focus on an organization's mission in the face of such challenges.