Racial discrimination hearing begins in Akron

AKRON, Ohio. A hearing on a racial discrimination complaint that News 5 first brought to you last year is underway in Akron.

An Akron law firm seeks justice after a man has to choose between his job and his hair

RELATED: An Akron law firm seeks justice after a man has to choose between his job and his hair

“My hair was a problem because of the sales role,” said Seleke Korle, a client represented by Okolo Law Firm.

Imohai Okolo of the Okolo Law Firm and his client Seleke Korle came to Akron’s council chambers Friday to testify before the city’s Commission on Civil Rights.

This comes after the Okolo Law Firm filed a complaint in August 2023 on behalf of Korlech, who said he was seeking justice for racial discrimination at VanDevere Chevrolet Akron on Vernon Odom Blvd. thanks to his hair.

“Racial discrimination based on someone’s hairstyle has no place in Akron, Ohio,” Okolo said.

The hearing began with opening statements from both Okolo and attorneys from Hanna Campbell & Powell, the firm representing VanDevere Chevrolet.

The defendants deny the alleged violations CROWN Actwhich is California state law legislation passed by the Akron City Council in December 2020 prohibit discrimination based on hair in the workplace and in schools.

Instead, attorney R. Brian Borla of Hanna Campbell & Powell said the issue is whether VanDevere has the right to require its salespeople to cut their hair.

“The question for the board to decide at this hearing is whether VanDevere discriminated against Mr. Korlech by asking him to cut his dreadlocks and remove shells and beads from his hair similar to the hair and dreadlocks he had when he was hired by VanDevere – Borla said.

In a statement obtained by News 5 from Okolo’s law firm last year, the attorney claimed that when Korlech’s hair started growing, VanDevere management told Korleh that his “hair was getting out of control” and that his hair did not meet VanDevere’s standards of professionalism. .

“Mr Okolo is right. After the dreadlocks grew longer and he added beads and shells to his natural hair, he was asked to tidy it up again. He asked to remove the shells. Remove the beads, said Borla.

Because Korlech said he didn’t want to be identified, he told News 5 he had decided to retire as a sales consultant at VanDevere Chevrolet in August 2023 when we spoke with him next month.

Korlech even testified before the commission on Friday with his hair in curls and a few beads, and said his hair was a problem because of his role.

But Michael “Mike” Vandevere of VanDevere Chevrolet said it is their company’s general policy not to prohibit dreadlocks or any type of natural hair.

“You are expected to maintain a high standard of grooming and maintain a professional and business-like appearance consistent with the duties and responsibilities of your position,” VanDever said.

“I couldn’t have locations because I guess the problem was being a salesperson on the floor in front of customers like me who buy cars there every day,” Korlech said.

The full hearing is scheduled to conclude sometime in November.