Kanye West faces $23 million discrimination lawsuit from former employee

Benjamin Provo, a former security guard for Donda Academy, is seeking approximately $23 million in damages in a lawsuit against Kanye West (Ye), Yeezy LLC, and Donda Academy Incorporated. Provo alleges he was subjected to racial discrimination and wrongful termination after refusing to cut his dreadlocks, which he maintains are symbols of his Black cultural identity and Muslim faith.

In addition to the hair-related claims, the lawsuit alleges a racially hostile work environment where Black employees were treated less favorably than white employees. Provo also claims that books by prominent Black figures, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were removed from Donda Academy.

Kanye West has denied the allegations of wrongdoing. His legal team has argued that Provo may have been an employee of a third-party staffing agency rather than West directly. Testimony from former chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos has also surfaced, regarding the company's culture and its approach to provocative discussions on religion and race.