Former employee sues Youth Symphony of Kansas City, citing racial discrimination
A former employee of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City is suing the organization, citing violations of the Missouri Human Rights Act.
Greg Carroll, a 63-year-old Black man, is suing the symphony for discrimination and retaliation regarding treatment he alleged he endured, as well as for his termination, according to court documents.
The symphony is accused in Carroll’s lawsuit of violating the Missouri Human Rights Act, including one count of discrimination and one count of retaliation. Each count is seeking more than $25,000.
Carroll was hired in June 2019 for his extensive experience in the Kansas City arts community, he contends in the lawsuit. Throughout his employment, Carroll claims he performed all his job duties, exceeded expectations and oversaw the expansion of the symphony’s donor base.
During his time at the symphony, Carroll raised $1.7 million and brought in stable relationships for the symphony, but said he did not receive merit-based pay increases or performance reviews, in accordance with his compensation package. Non-Black employees, however, did receive such increases, court documents allege.
Those who were not Black, younger and had not made complaints were treated more favorably, even when they engaged in unethical and potentially criminal business conduct, the lawsuit alleges.
Carroll claimed in the lawsuit that he wasn’t given a chance to defend himself or given due process for a report made about him that led to his termination, which he alleged was treatment unlike what he’d seen other non-Black employees face in the past. He further claimed he experienced a hostile, discriminatory and a retaliatory work environment.
On top of the unlawful termination, Carroll alleges he faced discriminatory pay, benefits, verbal abuse by board members, the failure to investigate race-based discrimination or harassment and an investigation done without due process.
Workplace incident cited in firing
On Nov. 6, 2024, there was a staff meeting about a fall concert to take place on Nov. 10. Carroll’s department was tasked to set up a table that would sell merchandise as well as other things, according to court documents. A non-Black assistant to the artistic director had been to a prior meeting, so Carroll asked if she could either secure the tables from the venue needed or connect him with the right person to do so.
According to the lawsuit, Carroll struggled to hear back from her and never got confirmation the tables were requested. On the day of the event, a staff member at the venue requested that the symphony ask for tables and other fixtures in advance, and Carroll assured they would put everything back and to make sure requests were made correctly next time. Witnesses to the exchange did not see it as combative or disrespectful in any way, according to court documents.
Near the end of the concert, Carroll alleged he was harassed by two white men because of his race. Staff at the venue and Carroll deescalated the situation, according to the lawsuit. Campus police were called, and Carroll and others were interviewed. He requested the report, which was copied to the executive director of the symphony.
Carroll claims in the lawsuit that the executive director did not interview Carroll or investigate the incident. The incident was never discussed, he said, and he was never checked in on to make sure he was not experiencing any post-harassment distress.
Upon Carroll’s termination in February, he was handed a file. Among other things was an event report from the night of the concert on Nov. 10, which included allegations of him being rude to venue staff during the set-up.
The lawsuit alleges the report was rife with inaccurate and one-sided allegations against Carroll. When he asked who prepared the report, the Executive Director refused to disclose and claimed the organization received the report in December 2024.
Carroll was given the post-event report for the first time during his termination meeting, the lawsuit claims, and he did not get any prior notice that the venue staff had raised concerns about him before it was used as a reason to fire him.
On March 26, Carroll filed a charge of race and age discrimination with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. On Sept. 23, they issued its notice of right to sue the symphony. He has requested a trial by jury.
The Star reached out to Carroll’s attorney and the Youth Symphony of Kansas City for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
