Lawsuit doesn't spur North Carolina A&T students to rethink racing

Photo: Mauricia Grant, a former NASCAR official, filed a $225 million discrimination lawsuit against NASCAR last week alleging racial and sexual discrimination and wrongful termination (USPresswire, Mike Basso).

BROOKLYN, MI - Joshua Lewis still aspires to obtain a job in NASCAR. Yes, the 20-year-old in North Carolina A&T 's motorsports program has heard about this week's lawsuit that alleges racist and sexist allegations against NASCAR. No, he won't abandon his goal. Instead the lawsuit motivates him to help change the stock-car racing series. "I want to be one to bring about more diversity," he said.

Other classmates echoed his comments. Even Mauricia Grant, the woman who cites racial, sexual and gender discrimination in her suit against NASCAR, says she would recommend that minorities be a part of the sport. "We have to work together to change the racist culture and, anyone who has an interest in motorsports, they should be allowed to work in that environment without having to deal with racism or sexism or racially ignorant people," Grant said this week.

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VIEW ENTIRE MAURICIA GRANT DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT

In Grant's lawsuit, the 32 year old former NASCAR Official cites 23 specific incidents of sexual discrimination and 34 specific incidents of racial or gender discrimination. NASCAR officials Tim Knox and Bud Moore were placed on indefinite administrative leave Friday and are accused of exposing their genitals to Mauricia Grant.

She also is suing for wrongful termination after being fired from her job as a technical inspector responsible for certifying cars in the Nationwide Series. She was employed from January 2006 to October 2007, when NASCAR fired her citing poor work performance. Grant suit claims the termination was done in retaliation for filing complaints for workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.

NASCAR doesn't stand a chance to win this suit with 57 possible breaches of federal law and a well established culture of discrimination that is of no secret to the world. Look for Ms. Grant to prevail in this forthcoming battle that won't make it to the Court.

Grant's Bio

• Hired by NASCAR in January 2005, becoming NASCAR's first African-American female official.


• Successfully graduated from the Los Angeles Urban League Automotive Training Center (ATC) in 2004 with honors.


• Graduated from Stony Brook University.


• Born in The Bronx, New York in Eastchester Projects; raised by a single parent mother of four.

Southern University names new chancellor

Dr. Kofi Lomotey holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree from Stanford University in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis, a M.Ed. from Cleveland State University in Curriculum and Instruction and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Economics. He previously served as President of Fort Valley State University, Senior Vice President, Provost and Professor of Education at Medgar Evers College (CUNY) and as a member of the faculties at Louisiana State University and the State University of New York (Buffalo).

Southern University picked a new chancellor Saturday. Southern University System President Ralph Slaughter and the Board of Supervisors chose Kofi Lomotey, 57, of Fisk University in Tennessee out of three finalists. Lomotey was picked on a 9-6 vote at the end of a five-hour meeting that included final interviews on campus.

Those board members voting in opposition said they wanted more time to deliberate after interviewing the three for the first time Saturday. The Fisk executive vice president and provost was chosen over Southern University at Shreveport Chancellor Ray Belton and Alcorn State University Vice President for Academic Affairs Napoleon Moses.

Lomotey will lead Southern’s main campus in Baton Rouge with an enrollment of about 8,000 students starting July 1 after his contract is worked out. “I’m attracted to the tremendous potential...

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Howard University names Sidney Ribeau president

Photo: Dr. Sidney Ribeau (Courtesy Toledo Blade)

Howard University named the head of Bowling Green State University, Sidney Ribeau, as its 16th president Wednesday after an eight-month search, replacing the embattled Patrick Swygert.

Ribeau, who has led the 21,000-student Ohio university since 1995, will take over Aug. 1. A professor of communication, he previously was vice president for academic affairs at California Polytechnic State University in Pomona.

"I am excited by the opportunity to serve this historic institution," Ribeau said of the 10,000-student university. "Howard is a remarkable university, a truly international university and one that has made significant contributions not only in this country but around the world, training principally African-Americans for global leadership roles in America and the world."

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who co-chaired the search committee with Time Warner Inc. Chairman Richard Parsons, stressed Ribeau's reputation for communication.

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