Clifton Powell Criticizes Spike Lee’s Business Practices

Veteran actor Clifton Powell is once again making his voice heard regarding filmmaker Spike Lee, clarifying that his criticisms are strictly about business practices, not personal animosity. During a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Powell addressed his stance on the acclaimed director, making it clear he stands by his previous remarks.

Concerns Rooted in Business Dealings

When asked directly about Lee, Powell urged listeners to do their own research: “I am not going to comment about Spike Lee. I said what I said and I stand by what I said. Go read about it. And a lot of y’all don’t have the facts.” He explained that his issues stem from what he perceives as questionable business practices, particularly concerning actors.

While Powell himself has never worked with Lee, he shared that close friends have been negatively impacted. He stressed that his respect for Lee’s artistic achievements, especially his collaborations with Denzel Washington, remains intact. The core of his critique lies in “some of his business practices.”

Pushing Back Against Critics and Advocating for Solidarity

Powell pushed back against those who have dismissed his comments as bitterness, emphasizing his commitment to research. “I do my research and I’m never going to accept a Black man doing to us what the man has been doing for the last 70,000 years,” he stated. He even cited fellow actor Charles Dutton as someone who supports his claims, noting, “He knows.”

Powell acknowledged that his initial comments, made jokingly in a studio, went viral and perhaps could have been handled differently. “I should have called him and told him that or I should have saw him out and pulled him aside. So, I learned something from that.” He used the interview as an opportunity to advocate for greater solidarity and research among Black creators.

A Call for Better Business Practices

He also highlighted Tyler Perry as an example of resilience, noting Perry’s past struggles with homelessness. Powell shared his own experiences with homelessness, underscoring the importance of supporting each other. “Black folks, do your research before you comment and condemn somebody. We got to be better than the man to each other,” he urged.

Powell reiterated that his intention is not to condemn anyone but to encourage constructive dialogue. “If we have grievances, let’s sit down, have dinner, and talk about it,” he suggested, even extending an invitation to Spike Lee for such a conversation. “Maybe as a Pisces like I am, he might take it in and try to do better.”

Ultimately, Powell believes the conversation is larger than just him and Lee. “We got to do better business with each other than the man has ever done business with us,” he concluded, encouraging everyone to research his claims. He also referenced past comments from a 2021 interview where he detailed issues with Lee allegedly not paying people fairly and making public criticisms of other Black men.