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Harley-Davidson Motor Co. allegedly retaliated against an African American supplier diversity manager by stripping her of her role and duties after she objected to the company’s rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion practices, according to a lawsuit filed June 29 in Michigan federal court.
Per the complaint in Samuels v. Harley-Davidson Motor Co., shortly after the manager complained to her vice president that the company’s approach of “ghosting” certain organizations was detrimental to longstanding partnerships and could damage her professional reputation, she was allegedly directed to “cease and desist” from all business inclusion activities.
The manager, who was 70, was given a generic job title, with no clarity about her duties, the lawsuit said. She was also prohibited from attending external diversity events, while a younger white male co-worker was allowed to attend with manager approval, according to the complaint.
Additionally, Harley-Davidson allegedly told the manager she could continue to mentor white male entrepreneurs but not LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. After she objected, she was removed from the mentoring program and replaced by a younger white male, the lawsuit alleged.
