Kanye West Sued by 2 Donda Academy Teachers for Wrongful Termination, Racial Discrimination

Two Black women had sued Kanye West and his Donda Academy, claiming they were wrongfully terminated from their teaching positions because of their race and sounding the alarm on alleged violations on its education, health, and safety codes.

The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Thursday by Cecilia Hailey and her daughter Chekarey Byers who were fired last month with no explanation.

The two former Donda Academy teachers, the only Black teachers in the school when they were hired full-time a couple of months ago, said their color led to stereotyping and coded language from the school administrators, Billboard reported.

Hailey said in a statement that she's "just tired of the rhetoric being that Black women who are competent are seen as aggressive."

In the complaint, the two teachers said they noticed several health and safety violations, unlawful educational practices, and highly unusual rules at Kanye's school, according to TMZ.

Hailey told ABC7 she started teaching at Donda Academy in November, while her daughter joined the staff last January.

The teachers claimed that sushi is the only lunch choice and that kids are not allowed to bring outside food or drink besides water.

According to the complaint, Kanye spends at least $10,000 weekly on sushi. There were no tables and chairs where the kids could eat lunch, so they ate on the floor.

The former Donda Academy teachers also alleged that Kanye prohibited using forks or utensils and banned crossword puzzles and coloring sheets.

Since the rapper is "afraid of stairs," he also does not allow classes on the second floor. The lawsuit claimed Kanye also forbade his employees from wearing jewelry or hanging artwork on the walls because he "did not like jewelry."

The teachers also said that Kanye prohibited the use of seats. Therefore, the students sat on foam cushions or stand, while the educators had to stand or use a stool.

Donda Academy also requires everyone to wear only black from head to toe, and everyone is forbidden to wear Adidas and Nike brands.

The lawsuit claimed that the two teachers also "had wages withheld or were repeatedly improperly paid."

Donda Academy Is Not a Safe Place Based on Former Teachers' Statement

The Donda Academy's doors are reportedly physically locked from the outside during the school day, and the kids were not allowed to go outside until they were dismissed to go home, according to the two teachers who also claimed that all the children, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, were taking lunch and recess together at the same time inside the school.

The lawsuit noted that Donda Academy lacked basic facilities, including garbage cans outside classrooms and in the kitchen, a cleaner, and a school nurse. It also said students' medication was kept in an unsecured closet with expired medicines.

The teachers also noted the lack of lesson plans, and proper disciplinary procedures, which allows children to go unpunished for repeated bullying and physical aggression.

The teachers claimed they were warned not to contact Kanye West when they tried to bring the reported problems to his attention.

Since their salaries were consistently shortened throughout their employment, the women sued Kanye and Donda Academy for money. The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in damages for lost wages and emotional distress.

Kanye West Reportedly Shuts Down Donda Academy Abruptly

On October 27 last year, the Donda Academy abruptly shut down amid backlash and criticism over Kanye West's antisemitic remarks.

An email from academy principal Jason Angell said the Grammy-winning rapper had decided to shut down the unaccredited Christian private school in Simi Valley, California.

"Our leadership team will be working diligently to assist all families during this transition, ensuring that every scholar has what they need to succeed in their next community in a prompt and gracious manner," Angell wrote.

He added that they "intend to begin afresh in September of 2023." However, this plan did not happen, as the school reportedly reopened hours later.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Kanye West's Donda Academy Only Served Students Sushi Every Day, Lawsuit Claims - From ABC7