Philadelphia's former top DEI official is taking Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration to court, alleging she was pushed out after reporting a subordinate's complaint about a sexually explicit image involving a senior city official. Brandee Anderson, a Black woman, says the episode became a pretext for retaliation, racial and sex discrimination, harassment and defamation. The lawsuit turns a messy 2025 City Hall firing into a fresh legal fight.
Anderson filed suit Wednesday against the city and top leaders, including Parker, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. She alleges she was fired on July 22, 2025, 12 days after reporting to Human Resources that then-LGBTQ+ Affairs Director Tyrell Brown told her then-Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Dailey had sent a sexual image through the dating app Sniffies.
The case traces back to Anderson's short tenure in the Parker administration. In a 2025 account of the firing, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Anderson said she was fired after escalating the incident to Human Resources and senior officials, while Dailey remained with the city.
The Report That Allegedly Boomeranged
Anderson's lawsuit says she was removed from a planned public speaking panel scheduled for July 15, 2025, while the city investigated the matter. Her termination letter cited “recent conduct, judgment lapses, and confirmed violations” of the city's sexual harassment policy, but Anderson says she handled the complaint in good faith and rejects the claim that she mishandled it.
The complaint also alleges that Human Resources Manager Angela Grady told Anderson she lacked authority to hire, manage or discipline staff. Anderson says Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett-Harley told her to “stand down” and not “weaponize DEI against HR,” while Parker allegedly told her she cared more about minority business than Anderson's “DEI ideology.”
The DEI Office Has Since Changed Hands
Anderson also argues she was treated differently from Dailey, who is white and was laterally transferred without losing compensation, according to the lawsuit. Dailey now serves as the city's deputy director of strategic initiatives and police, while Anderson says she lost her job after raising the complaint.
The city's DEI operation continued under new leadership after Anderson's dismissal. Philadelphia's official DEI office page lists Donna Jackson Stephans as the current chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
City Response Remains Pending
At the time of Anderson's firing, Parker spokesperson Joe Grace told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the administration “vehemently” disagreed with Anderson's allegations but could not comment further because it was a personnel matter. NBC10 Philadelphia reported that the city had not yet responded to the new lawsuit.
Anderson's filing does not establish that the alleged discrimination, retaliation or defamation occurred. It does, however, put the Parker administration's handling of internal complaints, the authority of its DEI office and the circumstances surrounding Anderson's termination before a court.
