Case: Coleman v. U.S. Department of Education
4:25-cv-10812 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Filed Date: March 24, 2025
Closed Date: June 25, 2025
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Case Summary
This case challenged two executive orders issued by President Trump in January 2025—Executive Orders 14151 and 14173—which eliminated diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives across federal agencies. On March 24, 2025, Rana S. Coleman, proceeding pro se and purporting to act “on behalf of” RScoleman & Associates Staffing LLC, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiff alleged that the executive orders, and a February 14, 2025 guidance letter from the Department of Education enforcing them, violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and caused harm to the plaintiff’s DEIA-focused work supporting Black students and HBCUs.
The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief to halt enforcement of the executive orders and the guidance letter. Plaintiff alleged that the actions of the federal government would strip away funding and partnerships for race-conscious educational initiatives and chill advocacy for Black communities.
On the same day the complaint was filed, the court denied plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis and issued an order to show cause. The court found that RScoleman LLC—not Coleman individually—was the real party in interest, and that corporations and LLCs cannot appear pro se or qualify for in forma pauperis status. The court ordered Coleman to retain licensed counsel within 30 days or face dismissal.
On June 23, plaintiff requested a stay of proceedings to continue seeking representation, but the court denied that request. Finding that no attorney had appeared and the filing fee remained unpaid, the court dismissed the case without prejudice on June 25.
The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Sylvia Al-Mateen (4/24/2025)
Brian Chen (7/10/2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69778488/parties/coleman-v-us-department-of-education/
Coleman, Rana S. (Michigan)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Resources
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69778488/coleman-v-us-department-of-education/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 4:42 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
- Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities
- Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Accessibility (DEIA) and/or Antisemitism
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 24, 2025
Closing Date: June 25, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
RSColeman & Associates Staffing LLC, a Black woman-owned Michigan staffing firm that helps Black students and other marginalized groups secure professional opportunities
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 4:25-cv-10812
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Impoundment (mandatory spending)
Case Summary of Coleman v. U.S. Department of Education, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46282/ (last updated 7/10/2025).