“We’re confident in the lawsuit. There were instances that Founders acknowledges that there were fellow employees of his that used the “N” word in his presence, and at least one of those employees is still hired by the company. Ryan: So that’s what you’re referring to? That is not in my agenda,” he says. We wish that the apologies should have been communicated in a more timely manner. In the leaked deposition from the Detroit Metro Times, Evans' Attorney, Jack Schulz, asked Founders' Manager Dominic Ryan, "Are you aware Tracy is African American?" Sometimes things aren’t said right away.”, Over the weekend, Founders diversity director Graci Harkema publicly resigned after nine months on the job, saying the company was “more interested in the optics of my face than the impact of my voice.”. Schulz: No? Mr. Evans’ poor job performance will be apparent when Founders files its upcoming motion. The defense of Founders’ manager Dominic Ryan denying he knew the race of Tracy Evans. A white …. Schulz: And what is the difference of that color? Dianna Stampfler, a publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild, responded to requests by Eater for comment in an email on Wednesday, stating: “Occasionally we have brewery members drop out of a festival, and while that is unfortunate, the celebration this weekend will be about all the great Michigan breweries and beers that are present.”, Evans says that while consumers and fellow brewers are free to take whatever action they feel is necessary, he isn’t calling for the cancelation of Founders. Founders Attorney: Objection. It has nothing to do with his race. And it’s so sensitive. When this lawsuit hit us, we didn’t know the potential of what could happen. This motion will include documentary proof that neither Mr. Evans’ race nor retaliation played any part in Founders’ decision to end Mr. Evans’ employment. On Monday, Metro Times published a transcript from a deposition conducted by Evans’ attorney with Founders’ Detroit general manager Dominic Ryan. Taproom (616) 776-1195 Taproom Hours. Argumentative. Update, Nov. 1, 2019: Founder’s has settled the racial discrimination case with plaintiff Tracy Evans, with neither party admitting fault. Founders manager Dominic Ryan: 2011, 2012. This is about a worldly issue that continues to happen all the time.”, The deposition have ignited new anger in the Michigan beer community. Tracy Evans doesn’t work at Founders Brewing Co. 100 percent due to his performance. View Dominic Ryan’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. “Enough was enough,” he says. The brewery faced backlash when in a leaked deposition Founders' general manager Dominic Ryan said he could not definitively say whether Evans is … “We go through these things all the time. Do you know … You don’t know what it means for someone to be a white person or a Black person? 235 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Here’s the latest updates. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. First, as I doubt you’re aware, Mr. Evans himself has testified – unequivocally and under oath – that Mr. Ryan is not racist and was his friend; so whatever point Mr. Evans is trying to make by leaking deposition testimony to you is undone by his own words. Ryan: I don’t know Tracy’s lineage, so I can’t speculate on whether he’s … if he’s from Africa or not. Brewery. Third, through this testimony, Mr. Ryan was simply saying that he does not assume anything about individuals’ race or ethnicity unless they tell him that information. “How can you as a person, a company, a corporation, an individual — how can you understand and have sympathy or empathy for the things that minority people of color or women go through at your establishment, if you can’t even admit and can’t even acknowledge and know that these people are minorities?”. Unfortunately, during the time while he was down in Detroit, he was asked to do his duties, [they] weren’t being done to the satisfaction of the company. Taproom (curbside pickup only): Sunday-Saturday 11am-7pm He was under oath when he made these statements. We put him on a program to get some coaching, to get some additional training. That is correct. You mentioned in an interview with the Detroit Free Press that you are very confident in the case. And if you have any hesitation, say ‘I don’t know.’. While it might be acceptable to speculate about this type of thing in casual conversation, Mr. Ryan was not having a casual conversation. from the lawsuit, which raised a lot of eyebrows. That is correct. And we’ve asked him to take some time off until we can figure out what’s best for him and for the company. That’s a … that’s a genuine question. Ryan: No. Attorneys for Founders maintain that Evans was fired not because of his race, but because of poor job performance. Are you aware that Tracy is a man of color? The restaurant’s general manager, Dominic Ryan, claims that he did not know Evans was black. Schulz: What do you mean lineage, from Africa? In the exchange Ryan, who fired Evans, claims he didn’t know Evans was black. Attorneys for Founders maintain that Evans was fired not because of his race, but because of poor job performance. Dominic has 5 jobs listed on their profile. Schulz: OK, are you aware Tracy is Black? The full transcript is below: Evans’ Attorney, Jack Schulz: When did you first meet Tracy Evans? Employee Files Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination, Founders Brewing Manager Claims He Didn’t Know Black Employee Is Black, Founders Brewing Co. We talk about “purposeful progress,” we fully admit that none of us are perfect. In the leaked deposition, Evans' Attorney, Jack Schulz, asked Founders' Manager Dominic Ryan, "Are you aware Tracy is African American?" In the meantime, Evans says he’s focusing his efforts on developing an organization called It’s Not Right to help advocate for people who’ve been harassed or discriminated against in their workplace. Michelle and Chris Gerard. In the event that you will not, I understand that a person unfamiliar with most of the facts in this case, and a person unfamiliar with the obligations that individuals are under when they give deposition testimony, might perceive Mr. Ryan’s statement as noteworthy. Hear Tracy Evans, fired Founders employee alleging racial discrimination, explain the motivations behind his lawsuit. He worked there for about 4 years. But he says the company stands by its position on the lawsuit, claiming that Evans’ firing was due to poor performance, not racial discrimination. Yes. This is the reason for his answer. At least one Detroit brewer, Eastern Market Brewing Co., has announced plans to boycott this weekend’s Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market where Founders is a participant. Evans also described “blatantly racist” behavior by management including allegations that the upstairs management printer at the Grand Rapids sites was labeled the “white guy printer” while the ground floor, general employee printer was labeled the “black guy printer.”. “We’ve never gone through anything like this in our 22-year history.”. Schulz: To your knowledge, was Kwame Kilpatrick Black? We are working to really hone our policy down. It’s very well-documented that the only reason that Tracy Evans lost his job was due to performance, it had nothing to do with his race,” Engbers says. “I don’t know that I could look at myself everyday in the mirror knowing that not only did I not speak out for myself in my situation, but I didn’t speak out to help protect others past, present, and future.”. Founders Brewing Company in Detroit. It’s a different color. Schulz: And you were able … Have you ever met a Black person who didn’t tell you they were Black? Patrick M. EdsengaAttorney at LawMiller Johnson, Now a year into the lawsuit, Evans tells Eater in an interview that he wishes that Founders had simply acknowledged the problem, apologized, and created a path towards improving the brewery’s work culture. Evans called Ryan's comments "completely offensive" and was surprised by the exchange—at one point, he and Ryan had been friends. As soon as it was brought to our attention, [human resources] was brought in and those employees were spoken to, it was put on their permanent records. I mean, like, I don’t know his DNA. WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. At the company, we felt it best… we’ve relieved Dominic of all of his responsibilities as it pertains to the Detroit taproom. Was he a poor employee that entire time? ... Dominic Ryan didn’t have to pretend he was colorblind in order to make us believe that he wasn’t a … I would ask that you reserve judgment or comment on this case until you actually see the evidence presented by the parties. That’s never been our stance as a company. Ryan: I’ve never met Barack Obama so I don’t …. The details of that firing have come under heavy scrutiny, however, since a transcript of an exchange between Founders’ Detroit general manager Dominic Ryan and Evan’s attorney Jack Schulz has come to light. We’ll keep the record as is. He admits the company erred in its initial public silence and underestimated the blowback the suit would cause. Evans was allegedly fired while prepping a second formal complaint to human resources. “This isn’t just about Founders. I can’t speculate on what Dominic was thinking. The fact that Mr. Evans is selectively leaking this type of information to you indicates that, unlike Founders, he has no evidence to support his position in this case. Update, 9:59 a.m., October 23, 2019: This story has been updated with a statement on the boycott by EMBC from the Michigan Brewers Guild. On Friday, Tracy Evans — the former promotions and events manager at Founders’ Detroit taproom — joined CultureShift to talk about his experiences at the brewery and what motivated him to file a lawsuit. Detroit's NPR Station. Of course we know Tracy Evans is black. At this point, the Founders manager Dominic Ryan, he’s still with the company? That was … Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host and producer of CultureShift. Founders Attorney: Objection. >>Online: Full statement from Founders The annual Michigan … Founders President Dave Engbers says the taproom, on Charlotte Street off Cass Avenue, will remain closed Friday until at least Tuesday due to what he calls a "tense situation." A former employee, Tracy Evans, filed the complaint last fall alleging that the brewery failed to adequately address its toxic, racist work environment and ultimately fired him for raising concerns. Ryan: What do you mean “how”? Facing Backlash for Deposition in Racial Discrimination Case, Tracking the Fallout From Founders Brewing Company’s Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Founders Brewing to Reopen Detroit Taproom Following Lawsuit Controversy, Detroit Taco Pop-Up Plans New Outpost in the West Side Industrial Neighborhood, Tracking COVID-19 Outbreaks in Michigan’s Food Industry, Detroit Restaurant Saffron De Twah Is Offering Free Holiday Meals to People in Need, Michigan Extends Indoor Dining Closure Through January 15. By WDET and Wayne State University regards to Barack Obama is Black filing. Not necessarily a zero tolerance policy and Wayne State University aware that Tracy is a minority if! Right Now by that Kwame Kilpatrick these statements coached by Founders ’ lawyer at all, to some. To identify individuals by their skin tone upcoming motion at length below s a … that s. Tracy Evans doesn ’ t from Africa got the job assume or speculate in his.. 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