Abdul Muhammad, a dedicated educator with a remarkable track record, has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education and several key figures within the organization. The complaint, lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 15, 2024, accuses the Chicago Board of Education and its officials of discrimination based on race, religion, and gender. Muhammad alleges that these discriminatory practices led to his unjust termination as principal of Lindblom Math and Science Academy.
According to the lawsuit filed by Abdul Muhammad through his attorneys at the Law Office of Power & Dixon, the defendants include Pedro Martinez, CEO of the Chicago Board of Education; Felicia Sanders, Chief Schools Officer; Devon LaRosa, Network #16 Chief; Allison Tingwall, Executive Director of Principal Quality; Kishasha Williams-Ford, Director of Local School Council Relations; and Kelly Tarrant from the Law Department. The case outlines how Muhammad was invited to apply for the principal position at Lindblom but faced numerous obstacles orchestrated by Martinez and others due to his identity as a Black Muslim member of the Nation of Islam.
Muhammad's lawsuit details various alleged violations under federal statutes such as Title VII for religious discrimination and workplace harassment. He claims that after being selected as a finalist for the principal position at Lindblom Academy in June 2022, he faced undue interference from LaRosa and other officials who sought to undermine his candidacy. Despite being chosen by Lindblom's Appointed Local School Council (ALSC) as their preferred candidate for a four-year contract, Muhammad was only offered an interim contract without standard protections—a deviation from customary practice afforded to his white predecessors.
The complaint further accuses CBE officials of creating a hostile work environment by spreading false allegations against Muhammad and undermining his authority. It asserts that no performance issues or complaints were communicated to him before his abrupt termination in March 2023. Muhammad argues that this treatment reflects systemic discrimination rooted in bias against his race and religion.
In seeking justice through this legal action, Abdul Muhammad requests compensatory damages for lost wages and pension contributions along with punitive damages against individual defendants. He also seeks attorney fees under applicable statutes like 42 U.S.C §1988 alongside court costs associated with pursuing this case.
Representing Abdul Muhammad are attorneys Sa’ad Alim Muhammad from Power & Dixon Law Office along with Yolanda Muhammad from her law firm. The presiding judge over this matter is yet unnamed but identified under Case ID: 1:24-cv-10225 within judicial records.