Baltimore Rock Opera Society terminates executive director following cultural appropriation controversy

The Baltimore Rock Opera Society (BROS) terminated its recently hired executive director, Kelly Carnes, on September 23 after a video surfaced showing her with cornrows at a BROS event. The decision followed concerns raised about cultural appropriation related to her hairstyle, which she wore after attending Burning Man, a nine-day festival in the Nevada desert. Carnes stated that she styled her hair in cornrows as a protective measure against the elements at the festival. In an email to The Baltimore Banner, she expressed surprise at being dismissed by an organization that promotes creative freedom, questioning the values BROS upholds in relation to its employees. The leadership change was discussed in a meeting on September 22, prior to which BROS had addressed the controversy on social media. Carnes confirmed that she was open to dialogue regarding the concerns about her appearance. The organization later acknowledged the removal of the video without explanation and stated that they were taking action to address the situation. Cat Litten, a representative for BROS, emphasized the organization's commitment to improving the experience for its community and volunteers.