Former FedEx Security Guard Sues for $6 Million Over Racial Discrimination, Retaliatory Firing

Barbara Blake, a Black former FedEx security officer who guarded top executives including the late Fred Smith, has filed a $6 million racial discrimination lawsuit against FedEx, alleging she was fired in retaliation for reporting racist remarks by a white coworker. The lawsuit details numerous instances of the coworker's offensive language, including derogatory terms for Black people and boasting about violence against a Black woman during his time as a police officer. Blake claims that despite repeatedly reporting these incidents to management, including her supervisor Darrell Jackson, the company failed to properly investigate and instead subjected her to disciplinary actions culminating in her termination in 2024. The lawsuit alleges a hostile work environment and retaliatory behavior by FedEx supervisors and human resources, including ignoring Blake's complaints and punishing her for reporting harassment. Blake seeks damages, reinstatement of her job, and coverage of attorney fees. The case highlights ongoing concerns about racial discrimination and retaliation within FedEx's workplace culture.