A recent federal lawsuit claims that an employee was subjected to discrimination and retaliation after raising concerns about workplace treatment at a nonprofit organization. The complaint was filed by Shakivia Ivory in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 13, 2026, naming the Homeless Network of Texas, doing business as Texas Homeless Network, as the defendant.
According to court documents, Ivory alleges she experienced harassment and discrimination based on her sex while serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader at the Texas Homeless Network. She further claims that after participating in Equal Opportunity activity—specifically reporting concerns about new work expectations and a hostile work environment—she faced reprisal that led to her removal from her position. The complaint is brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Ivory’s filing outlines a series of events beginning with her participation in the 2023 Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness. She states that prior to the conference she informed her supervisor about needing to bring her daughter. During this period, she attended required lectures but was later accused by her supervisor of being absent without leave (AWOL) from mandatory conference sessions. Ivory asserts that paid time off was used appropriately for any absences during the event.
On October 5, 2023, Ivory was reprimanded by supervisors Joanna Clark (Project Coordinator) and Samantha Foss (Director of Development and Communications) for allegedly misgendering an intern named Cloud King—a person Ivory says she had not previously worked with or known their preferred pronouns. Ivory contends that these accusations were raised in a meeting where King was not present. She notes that both supervisors and the intern identify within non-binary and LGBTQ constructs.
Following this meeting, Ivory reports receiving new work expectations requiring daily sign-in and sign-out notifications. She also received a verbal warning document for failing to notify her supervisor when stopping work one evening. Despite these developments, previous feedback included compliments on her performance from both supervisors and fellow VISTA members as recently as September 2023.
Ivory describes escalating tensions after sending an email to staff regarding what she called a hostile service environment on October 11, 2023. According to exhibits referenced in the filing, senior leadership including CEO Eric Samuels and COO Kristin Zakoor were made aware of these concerns but instructed staff to disregard Ivory’s email. The complaint alleges that following this communication, Ivory was isolated within the organization: “Texas Homeless Network ordered the Accounting and HR Coordinator not to speak with Plaintiff after Plaintiff sent the email about the hostile service environment.”
The sequence culminated with Texas Homeless Network requesting Ivory’s removal from her VISTA Leader role on October 12, 2023—a day after she voiced objections about workplace hostility. AmeriCorps regulations cited in the complaint state that AWOL status applies only if there is no communication or attendance for multiple days; however, according to Ivory’s account, partial attendance did not meet this threshold.
Ivory claims disparate treatment compared to other employees who identified within non-binary or LGBTQ identities but were not scrutinized or disciplined similarly for absences or pronoun usage issues. She also alleges broader hostility towards individuals whose views on sex or gender differed from those held by certain staff members.
After losing her position—and thus biweekly stipends—Ivy reports falling behind on rent leading to eviction in August 2024 and subsequent homelessness into summer 2025.
The relief sought includes $17,546.70 representing remaining stipend payments through July 2024 plus an end-of-year stipend; $3,628.79 for unpaid apartment rent resulting from eviction; $50,000 each for emotional distress and loss of future earning capacity; punitive damages; and any other relief deemed necessary by the court.
Ivory is representing herself as pro se plaintiff in this case (Case No.: 4:26-cv-02085). No attorney names are listed in connection with either party.
Source: 426cv02085_Shakivia_Ivory_v_Homeless_Network_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
