Filed Date: March 24, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
On behalf of her advocacy and staffing firm supporting Black students and marginalized groups, a Black woman brought this legal challenge to Executive Orders (EOs) 14151 and 14173 and the Department of Education's (ED) "Dear Colleague" letter that directed the dismantling of DEIA programs. (To view the Clearinghouse’s collection of litigation against the second Trump administration, click here.)
On March 24, 2025, RSColeman & Associates Staffing LLC, a Black woman-owned Michigan staffing firm that helps Black students and other marginalized groups secure professional opportunities, filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Invoking federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, the plaintiff sued ED under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race-based discrimination by federally funded programs); the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment; and the First Amendment, alleging infringements on free speech and advocacy rights. The plaintiff alleged that EOs 14151 and 14173, and ED’s alignment with them, disproportionately harmed Black-owned businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and minority students by targeting programs created specifically to counteract systemic discrimination and support Black Americans’ access to education. The complaint alleged specific harm to the plaintiff firm—including the loss of funding opportunities, disruption of partnerships, and suppression of the company’s mission. Proceeding pro se, the plaintiff sought injunctive relief to prevent enforcement of the EOs and “Dear Colleague” letter; compensatory damages exceeding $75,000; and attorneys’ fees and costs. The case was assigned to District Judge F. Kay Behm and referred to Magistrate Judge Curtis Ivy, Jr.
On the same day, District Judge Behm issued an order to show cause, denying the plaintiff’s request to proceed without paying court fees and without a lawyer. The court explained that because the plaintiff is a limited liability company (LLC), it must pay fees and be represented by a lawyer, and it may not be represented by a corporate officer. The court gave the plaintiff 30 days to find an attorney or face dismissal of the case.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Sylvia Al-Mateen (4/5/2025)
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)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69778488/coleman-v-us-department-of-education/
Last updated April 21, 2025, 2:52 p.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 24, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
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
U.S. Department of Education (ED) (- United States (national) -), Federal
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):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: