A former Social Work Program Manager alleges that she was subjected to race discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment during her employment with county social services. According to a federal complaint filed on March 30, 2026 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina by Kecia Adams Council, the defendants include Pitt County, the Pitt County Department of Social Services (PCDSS), the Pitt County Social Services Board, Director Sharon Rochelle, Human Resources Director Florida Hardy, and County Manager Janis Gallagher.
The complaint states that Kecia Adams Council worked for over 22 years in state service and received consistently strong performance evaluations during her tenure as a Social Work Program Manager at PCDSS. Council claims she repeatedly reported racial discrimination and a hostile work environment to her supervisors but that these complaints were acknowledged without investigation or remedy. She was terminated from her position on August 9, 2024.
Council outlines several incidents she believes demonstrate unlawful conduct under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She reports that white employees who engaged in documented misconduct did not face comparable discipline while African American supervisors under her supervision either resigned or were dismissed when facing termination. The complaint asserts: “Throughout this period, white employees who engaged in documented misconduct faced no comparable discipline.” Council also describes being excluded from decisions affecting her program area and alleges that management failed to take corrective action after she reported discriminatory treatment.
According to the filing, Council formally met with Director Rochelle on May 28, 2024 to report a hostile work environment based on race. She expressed concern that retaliatory complaints would lead to dismissal for herself and her team. After this meeting, she claims Rochelle solicited negative feedback about her management style from subordinates rather than investigating the discrimination allegations. On June 26, 2024—29 days after her formal complaint—Council was placed on paid investigatory suspension and escorted from the building by security personnel.
The complaint further alleges that Council was denied promotional opportunities despite applying for higher positions within PCDSS. She states she was never interviewed or considered for these roles while less qualified candidates were given preference.
Council contends that the investigation leading up to her termination was one-sided; she was not provided with specific details about alleged incidents nor allowed legal representation at her pre-dismissal conference held on August 7, 2024. The termination letter cited unacceptable personal conduct and unsatisfactory performance as reasons for dismissal—a justification Council argues is contradicted by recent positive evaluations signed by Defendant Rochelle just weeks earlier.
After her termination, Council says she was offered alternative positions at significantly reduced salaries but declined both offers. She asserts these offers were made only after defendants failed to obtain summary judgment in related administrative proceedings.
The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief including declaratory judgment that defendants violated Title VII; front pay in lieu of reinstatement; back pay; compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of retirement benefits; punitive damages against individual defendants; attorneys’ fees; an order requiring implementation of anti-discrimination policies; and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Kecia Adams Council is representing herself as pro se plaintiff in this matter. Attorneys Samantha M. Owens and Patrick H. Flanagan of Cranfill Sumner LLP are listed as counsel for defendants along with Ryan Matthew Gibson for Pitt County Government. The case is identified as Civil Action No.: 4:26-cv-00045-BO.
Source: 426cv00045_Council_v_Pitt_County_Complaint_Eastern_District_North_Carolina.pdf
