Anti-DEI organization Accuracy in Media’s undercover video, which led to the dismissal of former Pride Center Assistant Director Jae Edwards, was recorded over a year ago. 

Zakariya Kahouache, a second-year student studying history, was pictured in the video. He said, “The video had to have been recorded between the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year and Halloween 2024, it could not have happened outside of that period of time. I stopped visiting the pride center by the aforementioned date due to personal reasons, none political or religious.”

He continued, “As a note, I was not asked about being recorded, and am not happy to have been used in an article that promotes such a backwards, hateful ideology. DEI is not just helpful for minorities, but uplifts society as a whole.”

Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mick Kulikowski, provided The Nubian Message the same statement he provided The News & Observer:

“We were made aware of the video on Thursday, Feb. 5. The individual seen in the video had no role in policy or compliance decisions and was not authorized to speak on behalf of the university. The staff member no longer works at the university. NC State complies with both the spirit and letter of all applicable federal and state laws and UNC System policies, and any violation is taken very seriously.”

The Nubian Message is still awaiting a response from the Pride Center. This is a developing story.