Founders Brewing closes Detroit taproom, faces racial bias lawsuit

Founders Brewing has permanently closed their Detroit taproom following an announcement made on Monday.

The Grand Rapids-based brewery said on social media that the closure is related to decreased customers caused by the pandemic. This statement was made just hours after the filing of a racial discrimination lawsuit made by former employee Naeemah Dillard.

According to the lawsuit filed by Dillard, staff were allegedly racially harassing her. The lawsuit included examples of this harassment in the form of purposely mispronouncing her name and telling Dillard to make sure that her toddler did not steal any money from the brewery.

Dillard was originally hired as a sever and became a part-time manager in July 2021. She did not receive a pay increase or new managerial abilities, and was the only non-white manager. According to her lawyer, Jack Schulz, when Dillard would complain her hours were cut and her complaints were ignored.

When promotions became available Dillard was denied while her white coworkers were awarded. “[Dillard] was a part-time manager for nearly a year with no end in sight while caucasian counterparts were promoted within a few months,” according to the lawsuit.

Read: Fired Founders employee: “Racism is nothing new to people of color”

Following this, taproom manager Justin Parent put in his two weeks. Dillard went to management to express her interest in the open position when she was told that no such position would be available to her. At the same time, a white female employee filed a sexual harassment complaint against a male coworker who Dillard also complained about.

He was fired following this second complaint.

A white male was hired about a week after these complaints. He told Dillard that he was excited that he was being considered for a managerial position so quickly. This position was never shared with Dillard.

Dillard stopped working at Founders on April 23. “In light of the objectively racially hostile and hopeless work environment, [Dillard] submitted her notice of resignation,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit follows a complaint made by Dillard to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

This is not the first racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Founders Brewing.

In 2019, former promotions manager Tracy Evans alleged the company tolerated a racially insensitive work culture. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount.