A Black woman has secured a major courtroom victory after a jury awarded her more than $15 million in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the city of Fresno, California.
According to Black Enterprise, La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson, who worked in Fresno’s code enforcement department, filed the lawsuit in 2019 alongside co-worker Charles Smith, alleging years of discriminatory treatment tied to her race.
The case centered on accusations that her supervisor, Howard Lacy, repeatedly targeted her with offensive language and unfair treatment. After just one day of deliberation, a jury ruled in Wilson’s favor, awarding her $15.4 million in damages while also granting Smith $400,000.
Wilson said the verdict validates what she endured on the job, describing a work environment shaped by racial stereotypes and hostility. According to the complaint, she was labeled with the “angry Black woman” stereotype and subjected to degrading remarks that affected her standing in the department.
Central to the case were allegations that Lacy referred to Wilson using racist slurs and insults, including calling her an “entitled N-word” and accusing her of using her race to gain advantages.
The complaint also included claims that he described her as “lazy” and a “piece of sh*t.”
Lacy denied making those statements, pointing to an internal investigation that found no wrongdoing, but the jury ultimately sided with Wilson’s account.
“We look at the huge number, but nobody looked at the huge price I paid,” Wilson said following the verdict, emphasizing the emotional toll behind the financial award.
Her attorney added, “We proved our case, and the city of Fresno never took this case seriously… and we finally had our day in court and justice prevailed.”
Testimony during the trial revealed that while Wilson faced discipline at work, Lacy was not penalized following the internal review. That contrast became a key point for the plaintiffs, who argued the city failed to hold leadership accountable.
However, city officials have signaled that the legal fight may not be over. Fresno leaders are reportedly weighing a potential appeal, noting that the payout could have significant budget implications.
One councilmember acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations while also pointing to the financial strain such a judgment could place on public services.
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