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The Nativity Academy's student population is 86 percent black and 13 percent Hispanic, according to Greatschools.org.

\"PHOTO:
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin/Twitter
PHOTO: Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is facing criticism for comments he made in a promotional video posted to his Twitter account.
>

The rest of the video shows Bevin smiling as he meets with program leaders and plays chess with students.

But, it didn't take long for the backlash to roll in, with social media users accusing the governor of being racist and describing his comment as tone-deaf.

\"Gov. Bevin continues to show his incapacity to govern this state and West Louisville effectively,\" Louisville resident Donovan Taylor wrote on Facebook. \"The governor's view and idea of this area and people is limited and off-base. West Louisville is a large, diverse and vibrant community.\"

Louisville Metro Council President David James told ABC Louisville affiliate WHAS that the comments the governor made are especially problematic because the video was scripted.

\"For the governor to perpetuate such a thing at a planned event, on a scripted video – angers me, disheartens me, saddens me – I really have no words for it,\" James said.

\"PHOTO:
Google
PHOTO: Nativity Academy at St. Boniface in Louisville, Ky.
>

In a statement, Elizabeth Kuhn, communications director for the office of the governor, said that Bevin met with the chess club to \"showcase an important program that is encouraging sportsmanship and character building among Kentucky's youth.\"

\"It is disappointing that some are trying to shift the focus away from the incredible accomplishments of these talented kids,\" Kuhn said.

The mission of the West Louisville Chess Club, which is run by the Louisville Urban League, is \"the intellectual empowerment and character development of Louisville youth through the sport of team chess,\" according to the website.

Last year, Bevin proposed a plan to combat rising violence in Louisville's West End neighborhood by using prayer patrols in certain areas around town, offending residents and community leaders, the Louisville Courier Journal reported.

\"PHOTO:
John Minchillo/AP, FILE
PHOTO: Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin watches a race before the 144th running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 4, 2018.
>

Bevin is eligible for run for a second term but has not yet revealed whether he will run for reelection in November 2019, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

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