A former employee has filed a lawsuit against two educational institutions, alleging race-based discrimination and harassment. Star Holloman filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 12, 2024, against Kindercare Education, LLC and Libertyville School District 70.
According to the complaint, Holloman was employed by Kindercare as a Site Director from September 2018 until October 2023. She was assigned to work at Alder Park School within Libertyville School District 70. Holloman claims that she experienced severe racial discrimination and harassment during her tenure. The alleged incidents began on September 13, 2023, when Alisha Fyther, a teacher at the school, blocked Holloman from entering an art classroom and subsequently called the police on her without any provocation. Holloman believes this action was racially motivated.
The following day, Holloman reported the incident to Principal Kendall Miller but received no support. Instead, she was told to remain in the gym and avoid the art room. Unsatisfied with this response, she escalated her concerns to Nicole Brady, Kindercare’s Area Manager, who also failed to take effective action. Holloman then reached out to the Human Resources Department of Libertyville School District but faced similar indifference.
Holloman alleges that these actions created a hostile work environment that led to her constructive discharge in October 2023. She claims that both Kindercare and Libertyville School District were complicit in perpetuating racial discrimination and harassment by failing to address her complaints adequately.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay and benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress and pain and suffering, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees. She asserts that both defendants violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 by engaging in race-based discrimination and retaliation.
Representing Star Holloman is Mohammed O. Badwan from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while Judge Amrith Kaur Aakre will be presiding over Case No. 1:24-cv-08371.