3 Employees Allege Racial Bias by Tennessee Temple University

Three one-time Tennessee Temple University employees have sued the school for alleged racial discrimination.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Emmanuel Awotula, Dennis Clark and Jeffrey Davis filed a lawsuit in Hamilton County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The trio claims university officials denied them promotion and pay raises because they are black. They are seeking lost pay, back pay and benefits, as well as punitive damages. It does not list a specific amount sought.

The school’s president, Steve Echols, declined to comment.

Emmanuel Awotula said he was passed over for a white man for a promotion to assistant athletic director and later fired.

Clark claims he lost his job as the director of public and community relations even though his bosses said nothing about his performance.