A New Orleans woman says she was a victim of racial discrimination.
Chelsea Reid, a Black woman, filed her complaint in federal court against Habana Outpost New Orleans also known as Cafe Habana NOLA. Reid alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
According to the complaint, Reid was offered employment by Habana as a lead barista at $17 per hour with tip incentives on November 2, 2022. She accepted the offer the following day via text message.
During a meet and greet hiring event, she says General Manager Nate Sanders made comments insinuating Reid's hiring was related to a desire for everyone to know they have Black friends. Reid was further informed there were no Black members of leadership, so the defendant desired to hire a Black person on the leadership team.