Philadelphia’s former Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer has filed a lawsuit against the city claiming that the Parker administration discriminated and harassed her after she reported an instance of sexual harassment involving other city employees.

Anderson, who was fired by the Parker administration on July 22, 2025, said that she was fired 12 days after reporting an instance of sexual harassment involving then-Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs Tyrell Brown and then-Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Dailey, according to the lawsuit.

Brown had told Anderson, his direct superior, on July 2, 2025, that Dailey had sent a sexual image through a dating app called Sniffies, according to the lawsuit.

Anderson then reported the incident to Human Resources, according to the lawsuit.

Shortly after the claim was reported, Anderson said the members of the Parker administration retaliated against her by specifically citing the investigation as the reason she was removed from a planned public speaking panel scheduled for July 15, 2025.

Anderson was then fired on July 22, 2025, and the termination letter stated that the move was happening due to her “recent conduct, judgment lapses, and confirmed violations of the City’s Sexual Harassment Policy,” according to the lawsuit.

Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett-Harley also stated that Anderson “should know better,” according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Anderson, who is a Black woman, was terminated, while Dailey, a white man, was “transferred laterally” with no loss of compensation.

Dailey currently holds the position of Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and Police for the city.

Claims of undermining Anderson’s authority

Anderson also claimed in the lawsuit that she faced harassment and discrimination based on her race and sex since the time that she took on the role in October 2024.

Anderson claims that HR Manager Angela Grady told her that she did not have the authority to hire, manage or discipline staff.

The lawsuit also names Mayor Cherelle Parker, claiming that the mayor told Anderson that she did not care about her “DEI ideology,” and instead only cared about minority business.

Parker and her staff also indicated to Anderson at several meetings that they will “not tolerate in any way, shape, or form anyone who doesn’t embrace [the mayor’s] agenda or tries to work around it,” according to the lawsuit.

Anderson was also told by Garrett-Harley to “stand down” and not to “weaponize DEI against HR,” according to the lawsuit.

Defamation claims

Anderson also accuses the Parker administration of defaming her by making public comments saying that she engaged in workplace misconduct and wrongdoing, according to the lawsuit.

For instance, Philadelphia Inspector General Alex DeSantis said in an interview with “Headlines with Frankie Darcell” on WDAS 105.3 FM that Anderson handled the Dailey photo situation “unprofessionally” and added that she “continues to mishandle the information, handle it unprofessionally.”

Anderson said she engaged in good faith with HR on the issue and rejects the claim that she mishandled the sexual harassment claim.

NBC10 has reached out to the city about the lawsuit and we are waiting to hear back.