A former CEO has taken legal action against a prominent non-profit organization, alleging racial and sex discrimination, along with retaliatory practices. On November 12, 2025, Tiana Joyner filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against Habitat for Humanity of Durham Inc. (HFHD) and Carleena V. Deonanan.
The lawsuit outlines a series of events leading to Joyner’s termination on December 12, 2024. Joyner, who served as HFHD’s Chief Executive Officer from January 3, 2023, until her dismissal, claims she was subjected to discriminatory practices following her opposition to what she describes as racially inflammatory accusations made by Deonanan against an outside vendor. The complaint details how Joyner was allegedly targeted after defending the vendor during an August 2024 board retreat where Deonanan accused the vendor of promoting “white supremacy.” According to Joyner, this confrontation led to a campaign of retaliation that included micromanagement and unfounded allegations of financial misconduct.
Joyner asserts that her termination was not only unjust but also rooted in discriminatory motives tied to her race and gender. She recounts how her performance was initially praised by HFHD’s board members until she opposed their racially charged comments. Following this opposition, Joyner claims she faced increased scrutiny and hostility from the board. She alleges that after reporting these issues internally and to external bodies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HFHD escalated its retaliatory actions by placing her on administrative leave and conducting a sham investigation into alleged financial improprieties.
In seeking justice, Joyner is asking the court for several forms of relief including declaratory judgments affirming violations of Title VII and Section 1981 regarding racial discrimination and retaliation. She seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress as well as punitive damages due to what she describes as willful misconduct by HFHD and its board members.
Representing Tiana Joyner are attorneys whose names were not specified in the document provided. The case is presided over by judges whose identities are also not disclosed in this filing under Case ID No. 1:25-cv-1026.
Source: 125cv01026_Joyner_v_Habitat_for_Humanity_of_Durham_Inc_Complaint_Middle_District_North_Carolina.pdf
