***Update as of 4/30/26 - He was let go in "cost cutting measures". From what I was told since his previous HR claims were "Closed" this had no impact on their decision.

**Maintaining privacy for now as he is still employed at this company (and myself at another nearby). E.E.O.C has been contacted but he fears retaliation.**

Hey everyone life has thrown my friend and former coworker a curveball while working for a well-known international shoe brand based here in the US. 

For 9 years, he's worked for this company as a contractor and salary, giving them everything he had. Despite all of this hard work and dedication, it feels like colleagues, some with less experience and more international flair, climb higher up the corporate ladder while he remains in the same place for over 5 years now, 6 since I last worked with him. It wasn’t until a few years ago when another colleague (with international flavor) took medical leave, still received a promotion and was able to give me a negative mark affecting his pay. He followed the correct paths and could never receive raises, promotions, or salary increases due to this. 

During some recent shake ups here he has stayed at the same level while receiving less pay than others in the same role and position, again these colleagues being of different ethnicity.

After reaching out looking for work, he has brought this up and has been getting the runaround from HR, removed from projects, and still coming to the office while others get to work at home while bills been piling up.

That’s why I am reaching out to you, dear friends, family, and supporters. If ever there were a time for kindness, understanding, and solidarity, it is now—during times of struggle and injustice.

I'm asking if you could help me raise $10,000 so that he can continue keeping a roof over their heads without being weighed down by financial burdens waiting for them to review whether he should get paid the same as his colleagues. He feels like a hypocrite continuing to work for this company but is unable to make any changes due to these financial issues and he remains silent due to the differing views of his more liberal colleagues. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story, with help from each of you, we can make a difference in not only my life but others who find themselves silenced by workplace inequality too.

With deepest appreciation & hope, god bless.