Michigan Jury Awards $60M in Race Discrimination Case Against Broadcaster

A verdict highlights key risks for employers who dismiss harassment complaints as workplace joking.

HR Solution Journal News Desk

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A Michigan jury awarded a Black television minister more than $60 million in damages against religious broadcaster The Word Network after finding the employer liable for racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. The case centered on racially offensive comments and imagery the station owner allegedly shared repeatedly after being asked to stop. The network argued the relationship involved mutual, long-standing humor. Attorney Sean Monson of Parsons Behle and Latimer notes key employer takeaways: harassment defenses based on mutual joking rarely succeed, every complaint must be taken seriously, and Section 1981 race discrimination claims carry no punitive damages cap, unlike Title VII.

Source: HR Daily Advisor. Original announcement: November 11, 2026.