A former executive director of Princeton-in-Africa is suing the program, alleging racial discrimination and defamation on the part of the organization and two of its board members.
The complaint, filed by Angela Coleman '92, claims that she was removed from her job in December without cause and that two of the organization's board members, Rev. Frank Strasburger '67 and Holly Schade '91, made racial slurs against Coleman during her six-month tenure.
In the complaint, filed Jan. 16 in Essex County Superior Court, Coleman demands an unspecified amount in compensatory damages, including back pay, severance pay and the costs of the suit including attorney's fees. She also requests damages for "all economic loss, physical and emotional distress ... career, family and social disruption, medical expenses and other harms."
Coleman and Schade both did not reply to requests for comment. Strasburger, an associate rector at Princeton's Trinity Church, is currently out of the country and could not be reached for comment.
Staff and alumni of the program have risen to the defense of the organization, saying they attach little merit to Coleman's claims.
"We're sure there's no merit [to the lawsuit], and we're confident it'll be dismissed," said George Hritz '69, one of the co-founders of Princeton in Africa and the current president of its board of directors. "No one familiar with the situation attaches any credibility to the claim."
Coleman's attorney, Glen Montgomery, provided a copy of her complaint to The Daily Princetonian but declined to comment further.
Princeton-in-Africa was founded in 2000 by a group of Princeton alumni, faculty and staff and places University graduates in public service organizations in African countries. The organization is independent from the University and relies on contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations for funding.
Coleman says in the documents that she was verbally abused by Strasburger on Aug. 28 last year. In a separate incident two days later, Coleman claims Strasburger "angrily and maliciously" referred to Coleman, who is African American, as an "uppity one," an expression she said is a racial slur with a historical reference to the term, "uppity Negro."
Hritz dismissed allegations of any racist sentiments by Strasburger. "[He] was the head of medical education for South African blacks," Hritz said. "His track record will speak for itself. We'll just deal with it in court."
Coleman's complaint also says that she was slandered by Schade, who she claims was present during the Aug. 30, 2006, incident.
After taking sick leave immediately following the alleged incidents, Coleman said she was blocked from accessing her business email on Nov. 9, 2006. Three days later, she said she was told to work from home. On Nov. 13, Coleman said she was told not to return to work.
Hritz said that Coleman was fired on Dec. 27, 2006, while she was still on medical leave, due to "performance issues."
In the complaint, Coleman said her work performance had never been criticized or evaluated negatively prior to the August incidents and that the program ended her employment without legitimate justification.
Hritz would not elaborate on the board's decision to dismiss Coleman, saying that they would "go into the details in court."
After leaving the program, Coleman sent an email to an Alumni Association mailing list in response to an earlier post advertising for a new program director. Her former position is now held by Blair Blackwell '96.
"Princeton in Africa is not a positive organization, lacking authenticity of mission and purpose," Coleman said in an email on Jan. 30. "I caution any and all alumni who may think that this organization is about doing something positive for those of African descent."
On Feb. 3, four days after Coleman's message was sent, 23 alumni who had participated in PiAf programs posted a joint response to Coleman's letter.
"We know that the organization is being led by capable individuals dedicated to serving and supporting the African continent and its people," the letter said. "No one we know, either at home or abroad, who is familiar with PiAf, its staff and its board attaches any credibility to the litigation claims."
Hritz said two separate law firms are representing Princeton-in-Africa free of charge.
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