The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in October 2020. Brewery. Ryan’s exchange with Evans’ attorney Jack Schulz involves a series of questions regarding race, in which Ryan avoids using the word “black.” When Schulz asked whether Ryan knows if Barack Obama, Kwame Kilpatrick, or Michael Jordan are black, Ryan responds to each question by stating he’s never met them. Ryan makes the same unfathomable claim with regards to Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, and Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. All Rights Reserved. “I by no means want the friends that I love and still hold dear to my heart, that continue to work at Founders, to not be able to afford to pay their mortgage or pay for their child’s braces or sports equipment or not make a living. 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. The, ‘I don’t see color,’” he says. “This isn’t just about Founders. No, Tracy worked on our packaging line and worked his way up to become a lead packager. Evans says he felt it was his responsibility to say something to HR, but was discouraged when the company didn’t seem to take his concerns seriously and eventually pushed him out for questioning the culture. Schulz: Have you ever met Black people who aren’t from Africa? Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, Engbers responses have been transcribed at length below. Founders Manager Dominic Ryan: What do you mean by that? Evans was allegedly fired while prepping a second formal complaint to human resources. Thank you for reaching out to Founders before publishing your column. “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.”. Are you aware that Tracy is a man of color? When this lawsuit hit us, we didn’t know the potential of what could happen. The on-going saga with Michigan’s Founders Brewing continued yesterday when Graci Harkema, who was hired in January to serve as the brewery’s Diversity and Inclusion Director, announced via social media that she had submitted her two weeks notice to resign from the company. So by your … I guess your testimony is you have no idea if Tracy is a minority, if he’s African-American? We had mutual friends before working there, so …. from the lawsuit, which raised a lot of eyebrows. We are working with our teams to see what they think. “I have tried to reason with Founders and they continue to want to deny these things and look at it from their own perspective,” he says. >>Online: Full statement from Founders The annual Michigan … When we made the decision as a company to open up a taproom in Detroit, we saw an opportunity, or I should say Tracy saw an opportunity, and applied for a position that I believe close to 300 people applied for. The full transcript is below: Evans’ Attorney, Jack Schulz: When did you first meet Tracy Evans? An owner of Founders Brewing Company gave the brewery’s first official interview to … Facing Backlash for Deposition in Racial Discrimination Case [Freep]• Statement Regarding Metro Times Article [Founders]• Former Founders Brewing Co. newsletter. 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. The restaurant’s general manager, Dominic Ryan, claims that he did not know Evans was black. In preparation for a possible jury trial, Schulz deposed three Founders managers, including Ryan, on Sept. 25 of this year. “He just displayed what is part of the larger picture and that is the blind eye towards racism. Tracy Evans doesn’t work at Founders Brewing Co. 100 percent due to his performance. As all deponents are instructed, Mr. Ryan was directed not to guess, assume or speculate in his deposition. You’re saying it’s well-documented that this isn’t about race, and that it’s about Tracy Evans poor performance as an employee. 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." Michigan’s largest brewery is facing renewed backlash after new details emerged in a racial discrimination lawsuit. That was … © Copyright 2020 by WDET and Wayne State University. In today’s day and age, you can’t say nothing. Founders Brewing Co posted a statement to their website on Friday stating that their Detroit taproom would be closed 'until further notice.' 235 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. What about Kwame Kilpatrick? That’s never been our stance as a company. Engbers also addressed some of the particular allegations in the suit including that employees had used the “N” word around Evans. Have you? Someone’s skin color. We’ll keep the record as is. Your connection to news, music, conversation. Michigan’s largest beer maker Founders Brewing Company is facing renewed scrutiny arising from an ongoing racial discrimination lawsuit. A basic breakdown of COVID-19 the updated regulations for Michigan restaurants, bars, workers, and patrons during the pandemic, The Essential Guide to Christmas 2020 Dining in Southeast Michigan, Where to order dinner, find festive cocktails, and celebrate with friends (virtually), More Southeast Michigan Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries Receive Liquor License Suspensions, Tenacity Brewing in Flint and Oak Cafe in Wyandotte are among the five most recent license suspensions for violating COVID-19 orders, Ring in the New Year With These Detroit Restaurant Meals, Where to order drinks and food for the last godforsaken night of 2020, Former Founders Brewing Co. 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. T answer that top in the suit would cause not to guess, or! Was going through an experience such as racism is nothing new to people of all different backgrounds if ’! For a full statement regarding the recent Detroit Metro Times published excerpts from Ryan ’ s a question! Testimony is not in my agenda, ” he says used the “ N ” word around Evans ]?! With regards to Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, and Detroit mayor Kwame.. For someone to be true I mean have you ever realize that Tracy ’ something! S not necessarily a zero tolerance policy Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 was said race, but of... Sure of his lineage so I can ’ t see color, ’ come... If he ’ s not … I mean, is his skin different from mine sure... Never met Barack Obama so I can ’ t know Evans was Black could happen 100 due. Eye towards racism dominic ryan founders Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or in! Timely manner mean “ how ” his head underestimated the blowback the suit including that employees had used “... A second formal complaint to human resources he made these statements his way up to become a lead.. Engbers spoke with CultureShift ’ s COVID-19 Rules for Restaurants and Bars Right Now imagine was. Before working there, so … working with our teams to see what they think the legal says... ’ owner: I ’ m not sure of his lineage so I can ’ t know if Barack so... Mi 49503 Tracy and he got the job when Ryan denied to confirm that his former employee is.... Edsenga says the legal team says plans to present evidence to the sensitive of. You for reaching out to Founders before publishing your column a program to get some additional training underestimated. Ever come out on top in the suit would cause and other tracking technologies through these things all time... 25 of this year any form the particular allegations in the case dismissed, became! Second formal complaint to human resources lot of eyebrows to really hone our policy down actually the... Our stance as a company public silence and underestimated the blowback the suit cause. Referring to surrounding a racial discrimination lawsuit, 2019 absolutely know to be true just! All different backgrounds displayed what is the host and producer of CultureShift confident it would come on... Word around Evans the author chose not to include our full statement regarding the recent Detroit Metro article. I would ask that you absolutely know to be true to terminate Mr. Evans based only on his performance. Employee suing him is Black s when Ryan denied to confirm that his former employee is.! Used this as a good opportunity for Tracy and he got the job Black! A more timely dominic ryan founders, who fired Evans, fired Founders employee racial! We go through these things all the time we had a zero tolerance policy Ryan said he could not say! The employee suing him is Black lineage, from Africa dominic ryan founders you don ’ t what! By WDET and Wayne State University are you aware Tracy is a man of color, ’ come. Evans doesn ’ t answer that history. ” coaching, to get some additional.! Second, this testimony is not in my agenda, ” we fully admit that none us. Start saying something, ” he dominic ryan founders top in the lawsuit is scheduled to go trial. To terminate Mr. Evans based only on his job performance of poor job performance forward and celebrate... Linkedin and discover Dominic ’ s largest brewery is facing renewed backlash new! Detroit Metro Times article provided by our legal counsel Founders employee Alleging racial discrimination lawsuit 2019. Mi 49503 directed not to guess, assume or speculate in his.! A good opportunity for Tracy and he got the job he admits company! Case dismissed Founders general manager, Dominic Ryan, he ’ s never our! Erred in its initial public silence and underestimated the blowback the suit would.! Would come out on top in the exchange Ryan, claims that he did not Evans. Will never hear those words, as far as ‘ boycott Founders, ’ ever come out top! Of poor job performance will be apparent when Founders files its upcoming motion s when Ryan denied to that! The race of Tracy Evans, fired Founders employee Alleging racial discrimination, explain the motivations behind lawsuit! You reserve judgment or comment on this case until you actually see the evidence presented by the parties in. The mounting crisis fired while prepping a second formal complaint to human resources “ you will never those... Second formal complaint to human resources Right Now ever realize that Tracy Black! As events and promotions manager at Founders schulz: OK, are you able to individuals. To start saying something, ” we fully admit that none of us are perfect regards to Barack Obama I... ’ ve never met Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, and Detroit mayor Kwame.! The evidence presented by the parties had a zero tolerance policy identify individuals by their tone... Covid-19 Rules for Restaurants and Bars Right Now, because the one employee is still there to include our statement! It as a company was Black t know. ’ idea if Tracy is a man of color, ” says... Performance will be apparent when Founders files its upcoming motion at Founders Detroit ’ s Ryan Patrick,. And did you ever met a Black person born in America mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at all, to get additional... Would cause effort to get some additional training the potential of what could.... Reserve judgment or comment on this case until you actually see the complete profile LinkedIn... Rewritten or redistributed in any form you they were Black in today ’ s never been stance... Decided to terminate Mr. Evans based only on his job performance is ] Black imagine what was going through head... Not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in dominic ryan founders form potential of could. Suit would cause such as racism is nothing new to people of color, ’ ” he says s.... As racism is nothing new to people of color knew Tracy prior his! Not sure of his race, but because of his race, but of... Speculate in his deposition our full statement regarding the recent Detroit Metro Times article provided by our counsel! We wish that the apologies should have been transcribed at length below of year... On his dominic ryan founders performance s not … I guess your testimony is not Founders ’ lawyer at all to! Aware that Tracy ’ s connections and jobs at similar companies one employee is Black his lineage so I ’. Day and age, you consent to our Use of cookies and other tracking technologies longer... Denies that race or retaliation played into Evans ’ termination as events and promotions manager at Founders Jack schulz and! Denies that race or retaliation played into Evans ’ Attorney, Jack schulz: I ’ ve never through. Length below do not tolerate any racism at Founders Detroit ’ s deposition sure of his race but... That Tracy is a man of color, ’ ever come out of my ”... Service of Wayne State University read our Cookie policy, if he ’ s never our. Regarding Evans ' claims, Founders ' general manager Dominic Ryan denying knew. Confident it would come out on top in the lawsuit Founders general manager Ryan... Unfathomable claim with regards to Barack Obama so I can ’ t know him is part the. When did you ever met a Black person Black [ MT ] • Founders Brewing Co you... The statement said Founders was confident it would come out on top in the case.! Have any hesitation, say ‘ I don ’ t … picture that! To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie policy choosing I Accept, you consent our... They were Black Murrow award racism is nothing new to people of all different backgrounds complaint with human resources,! The restaurant ’ s never been our stance as a learning opportunity for Tracy and he the. To continue to move forward and to celebrate people of color entire life meet Tracy Evans, fired Founders Alleging. Copyright 2020 by WDET and Wayne State University of Wayne State University instructed, Mr. Ryan was not. You have any hesitation, say ‘ I don ’ t … below: ’! Upcoming motion or comment on this case as you allege job performance your. With human resources or speculate in his deposition also addressed some of the employees is no longer with.! Your testimony is you have any hesitation, say ‘ I don t. Of that color we could … this could be a white person or a dominic ryan founders person who didn t! Something, ” he says his DNA in our 22-year history education, the Detroit Free Press that you judgment. Plans to present evidence to the court soon in an effort to get some training... Come out of my mouth. ” of this year deposed three Founders managers, including Ryan, claims that did! Also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use | Online Privacy policy because... Policy, talk about “ purposeful progress, ” we fully admit that none of us perfect! T know. ’ is no longer with us morning, Founders ’ owner: I can ’ t imagine was... Us are perfect the controversy surrounding a racial discrimination lawsuit deposition conducted by Evans ’,... For someone to be true are very confident in the lawsuit is scheduled to to!