A former University of Michigan DEI director, a Black woman, has filed a lawsuit claiming racial and gender discrimination after being abruptly terminated. The suit alleges her firing followed direct orders that marginalized her contributions and withheld support based on her identity.
The director led the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and brought decades of experience in diversity work. She asserts university officials systematically sidelined her role, withheld necessary resources, and then dismissed her under undisclosed pretexts. Court documents, reportedly filed this week, describe a hostile environment that favored white, male decision‑making over her leadership. CBS Detroit confirmed that legal action was initiated today.
The university has not publicly commented, citing pending litigation. This lawsuit unfolds amid growing tension at U‑Mich over its DEI agenda. In recent months, critics have pressed the institution to eliminate its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The law school closed its DEI office following pressure from conservative groups, prompting civil‑rights organizations to step in and defend diversity policies.
This case spotlights the paradox within institutional DEI programs: while they aim to support underrepresented communities, they may also become hubs of conflict over ideological and racial dynamics.
