The founder of Black Girls Code, who was ousted from her role as a board member and CEO earlier this month, has been accused of hijacking the nonprofit's website.
The complaint was filed with the U.S District Court for the Northern District of California. Bryant is accused of taking a number of inappropriate actions, including hijacking the BGC website and redirecting site visitors to her own website, which makes several false and misleading statements.
The fight between Bryant and the board that she appointed has been going on for a long time. Bryant alleged wrongful suspension and conflict of interest in her federal lawsuit.
As of the time of publication, blackgirlscode.com, blackgirlscode.org, blackgirlscode.site and blackgirlscode.net are all redirecting to save blackgirlscode.com. The details of Bryant's federal lawsuit can be found on that website.
Bryant wouldn't comment on the new allegations when contacted.
Bryant says she was denied access to her email in December of 2016 because of her suspension from the nonprofit. Bryant was put on administrative paid leave to review complaints against her.
According to multiple interviews conducted with former BGC employees, Bryant created a toxic work environment and misgendered a staffer. Bryant denied the accusations. A special committee would be formed to investigate the allegations, but the board wouldn't give a specific time frame.
She lost her job eight months later.
Bryant was terminated on August 12th. Bryant said that she had been removed without cause or an opportunity to vote.
She claimed that she was not offered any of the benefits she was entitled to in California, where BGC is based.
She said that it sounded like retaliation. A Black Girls Code spokesman said that Bryant was paid her accrued vacation in accordance with California law, but wouldn't comment on her other issues.
Black Girls Code believes the decision to remove Ms. Bryant as CEO and as a board member is in the best interests of the organization. Since its inception, BGC has been focused on moving forward and expanding its success. A new complaint was filed by the same person earlier today.
The Black Girls Code website was down for a while last week, but it wasn't until the nonprofit took to social media to say that it was back up. Bryant has sought to harm BGC by refusing to relinquish control over BGC's property and assets, including administrative credentials to BGC's website, since she was placed on paid leave in December.
According to the nonprofit, Bryant's conduct has caused harm to BGC's operation and mission in the community. The founder of Black Founders Matter cut his colleagues access to the website when he was told to quit. New emails, a new website and a new fund were created by the team.
What happens when a Black founder is ousted?
Bryant is accused of using her daughter's email account when she first created the website. The lawsuit states that the control grants the individual or individuals the ability to change, deletion, or otherwise alter the website.
Black Girls Code claims that the nonprofit is taking action to restore its web presence and is using its account for correspondence. The nonprofit claims to have served more girls this summer than in the past.
BGC wanted a trial by jury. A person for BGC wouldn't give any more information.
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