‘Ain’t Gonna Ever Run from a Black N—r’: Black Employees Were Repeatedly Called Racial Slurs and Forced to Relieve Themselves Outside. Now Paving Company Must Pay Them $1.2M

Asphalt Paving Systems will pay $1.25 million dollars to settle a lawsuit brought against it by the U.S. Equal Employment Oppor­tunity Commission for creating a hostile work environment in which Black employees were subject to racial discrimination and demeaning treatment. According to court documents filed on July 29 that were obtained and reviewed by Atlanta Black Star, Asphalt has 30 days to pay the “compensatory damages” to 12 of its former Black employees who worked at its Florida locations. If the company misses the deadline, it will be charged interest for default. The plaintiffs in the case are Michael Cheaves, Anthony Clemons, David Cooper, Freddrick Cooper, Broderick Curney, Olusoga Davis, Kendall Gadson, Joseph Haynes, Alvin Matooram, Willie Moore III, David Whipper, Jack Cornell Youmans, Deron Peterson, John Stephens and David Belvin. The U.S. Equal Employment Oppor­tunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Asphalt Paving Systems, citing racial harassment against Black employees. (Photo: asphaltpavingsystems.com screenshot) During their employment at Asphalt, the men were allegedly called racial slurs, threatened and intimidated, as well as denied “the use of facilities, tools, and resources on the basis of their race.” The EEOC filed its lawsuit against Asphalt in September 2023 on behalf of the dozen...