Former Students Make New Allegations Against Harlem Private School Described As a 'Cult'

The Atlah World Missionary Church in Harlem, and its pastor, James Manning, have been the subject of long-standing criticism due to a history of homophobic and incendiary statements. 

In a HuffPost investigation published last spring, former students at the church's private school in Harlem also described suffering psychological abuse and estrangement from their families under Manning's leadership. 

Now, three more former students have come forward to corroborate the original investigation by HuffPost reporter Rebecca Klein, and share allegations of their own. One of them, David, told Klein he was kicked out of the school and the church for wearing sneakers. Then his mother, an Atlah Church member, kicked him out of their home. They no longer have a relationship. 

The city's Department of Education says it has opened a probe into Atlah High School, seven months after Klein's initial reporting. She says the agency is responsible for ensuring private schools provide instruction that is "substantially equivalent" to that of public schools -- but it's still unclear who is responsible for investigating how the school and Manning are treating students. 

"I spent a long time trying to figure out who specifically was responsible for this school and this type of school and I was ping-ponged all around," Klein said. 

Listen to her conversation with WNYC's Jami Floyd, above.