February 4, 2021
Editorâs Note: Alyssa Johnson was a member of the Northwestern cheerleading program during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. She was contacted by the Office of Equity for their investigation on Pamela Bonnevier but did not participate.
Content Warning: This article includes mentions of physical harassment, racial discrimination and mentions of sexual assault.
Erika Carter (SESP â18) never imagined she would sue her alma mater.
As a Black member of Northwesternâs cheer program from 2016 to 2018, she faced unequal treatment for wearing her natural hair, was forced to split up from other Black teammates on the sidelines for âopticsâ and was told in writing that ethnically Black hairstyles like braids were not allowed on the team. Now in her post-graduation years, she said she plans to take legal action for the racial discrimination she experienced.