Amidst a persistent wave of allegations surrounding racism and wrongful termination targeting Kanye West, another lawsuit has surfaced, intensifying scrutiny on the embattled rapper’s alleged discrimination against black employees. Benjamin Deshon Provo, a former security guard at West’s private school, Donda Academy, has stepped forward with accusations of mistreatment and unjust dismissal based on his race.
Provo, who was employed at Donda Academy in August 2021, alleges that Kanye West subjected him to a hostile work environment, marked by frequent outbursts and verbal abuse. According to Provo’s complaint, obtained by Page Six, West’s behavior caused “severe emotional distress” and ultimately led to his termination, purportedly due to his identity as a person of color and his choice to wear his hair in dreadlocks.
The lawsuit contends that Kanye West and his management team demonstrated biased treatment towards black employees compared to their white counterparts, perpetuating a discriminatory work culture within Donda Academy. Provo’s claims specifically highlight instances where West allegedly berated black employees while treating white staff with preferential treatment.
Furthermore, Provo asserts that West ridiculed him for his hairstyle, demanding that he cut his dreadlocks. This demand, coupled with other discriminatory actions, resulted in Provo’s dismissal from his position. This lawsuit adds to the mounting legal challenges West is facing, including previous allegations of discrimination and harassment from another Donda Academy employee.
Provo’s complaint outlines his tenure at Donda Academy, detailing how he was assigned additional job duties due to staffing shortages and was tasked with providing security services during West’s Sunday Services and at the Yeezy warehouse. The lawsuit highlights the dilemma Provo faced, torn between maintaining his self-identity and financial stability, as West allegedly pressured him to conform to certain grooming standards conflicting with his religious beliefs.
Moreover, Provo’s suit alleges that West compelled him to dispose of books related to prominent figures in the Black community, indicating a pattern of behavior where West expressed negative sentiments towards black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
These allegations of racism and discrimination resonate with previous legal actions against Kanye West, including a lawsuit filed by former Donda Academy teacher Cecilia Hailey in April 2023. Hailey’s lawsuit also accused West of banning black history books and wrongful termination. With the emergence of Provo’s lawsuit, the scrutiny on Kanye West’s alleged discriminatory practices continues to intensify, raising questions about the rapper’s conduct and the culture within Donda Academy.
