Taproom (616) 776-1195 Taproom Hours. Evans, a black employee who worked at both the Detroit and Grand Rapids locations, claims in the suit that Founders inadequately addressed racist behavior among its workers, including multiple incidents of employees using racial slurs. It is not. In the leaked deposition, Evans' Attorney, Jack Schulz, asked Founders' Manager Dominic Ryan, "Are you aware Tracy is African American?" Following publication of the transcripts on Monday, Founders’ attorney Patrick M. Edsenga of Miller Johnson released a full copy of a statement provided to the Metro Times reporter Tom Perkins. ... Dominic Ryan didn’t have to pretend he was colorblind in order to make us believe that he wasn’t a … Ryan: I don’t know Tracy’s lineage, so I can’t speculate on whether he’s … if he’s from Africa or not. Attorneys for Founders maintain that Evans was fired not because of his race, but because of poor job performance. The details of that firing have come under heavy scrutiny, however, since a transcript of an exchange between Founders’ Detroit general manager Dominic Ryan and Evan’s attorney Jack Schulz has come to light. Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift: Do you think that’s something people don’t deserve to know was said? Ryan: What do you mean “how”? When we made the decision as a company to open up a taproom in Detroit, we saw an opportunity, or I should say Tracy saw an opportunity, and applied for a position that I believe close to 300 people applied for. All Rights Reserved. This goes back to the principles of Founders. Was he a poor employee that entire time? We’ve never gone through anything like this in our 22-year history. Of course we know Tracy Evans is black. Ryan: No. A white …. Founders Brewing Company in Detroit. What about Michael Jordan? His feature reporting received a 2020 Regional Murrow award. So by your … I guess your testimony is you have no idea if Tracy is a minority, if he’s African-American? Founders manager Dominic Ryan: 2011, 2012. Schulz: OK, are you aware Tracy is Black? That is not in my agenda,” he says. In the exchange Ryan, who fired Evans, claims he didn’t know Evans was black. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. In the leaked deposition from the Detroit Metro Times, Evans' Attorney, Jack Schulz, asked Founders' Manager Dominic Ryan, "Are you aware Tracy is African American?" We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Harkema’s decision comes amid on-going litigation between Tracy Evans, and Founders Brewing around Evans’ … At the company, we felt it best… we’ve relieved Dominic of all of his responsibilities as it pertains to the Detroit taproom. You have to acknowledge it. Brewery. That was … Argumentative. While it might be acceptable to speculate about this type of thing in casual conversation, Mr. Ryan was not having a casual conversation. In the event that you will not, I understand that a person unfamiliar with most of the facts in this case, and a person unfamiliar with the obligations that individuals are under when they give deposition testimony, might perceive Mr. Ryan’s statement as noteworthy. “This isn’t just about Founders. Read the statement here. Patrick M. EdsengaAttorney at LawMiller Johnson, Now a year into the lawsuit, Evans tells Eater in an interview that he wishes that Founders had simply acknowledged the problem, apologized, and created a path towards improving the brewery’s work culture. Dianna Stampfler, a publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild, responded to requests by Eater for comment in an email on Wednesday, stating: “Occasionally we have brewery members drop out of a festival, and while that is unfortunate, the celebration this weekend will be about all the great Michigan breweries and beers that are present.”, Evans says that while consumers and fellow brewers are free to take whatever action they feel is necessary, he isn’t calling for the cancelation of Founders. Update, 9:59 a.m., October 23, 2019: This story has been updated with a statement on the boycott by EMBC from the Michigan Brewers Guild. “He just displayed what is part of the larger picture and that is the blind eye towards racism. Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host and producer of CultureShift. Dave Engbers, Founders’ owner: I can’t imagine what was going through his head. Founders Attorney: Objection. From a deposition given last year by Dominic Ryan, the general manager of Founders Brewing Company, to Jack Schulz, a lawyer for Tracy Evans. Yes. • Founders Brewing Manager Claims He Didn’t Know Black Employee Is Black [MT]• Founders Brewing Co. Yes, I know the difference in skin tone. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Dominic’s connections and jobs at similar companies. We put him on a program to get some coaching, to get some additional training. The author chose not to include our full statement and, as a result, we are opting to share it with you. He was under oath when he made these statements. In it, Founders general manager Dominic Ryan said he didn't know the employee suing him is black. I can promise you that. There were instances that Founders acknowledges that there were fellow employees of his that used the “N” word in his presence, and at least one of those employees is still hired by the company. 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