Former first lady Michelle Obama's brother and his wife have settled a lawsuit they filed in 2022 against a private school in Milwaukee. The lawsuit alleged that the University School of Milwaukee refused to reenroll their children after the couple raised concerns about racism and inappropriate conduct at the school.
The couple, Craig and Kelly Robinson, claimed that the school terminated their sons' re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-2022 school year following complaints about unfair treatment of students of color and socioeconomically underrepresented students. They also mentioned encountering racial and ethnic stereotypes in assignments while their children were learning virtually at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although school officials initially stated that the enrollment decision was unrelated to the Robinsons' complaints, the Head of School, Steve Hancock, later cited disrespectful communications from the couple as the reason for the termination. Hancock emphasized that the school does not tolerate disrespectful or harassing behavior towards teachers and administrators.
Following the lawsuit, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Thomas McAdams dismissed the case. The Robinsons and the school released a joint statement expressing regret over the dispute and the resulting withdrawal of the Robinson children from the school. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, with the Robinsons having sought unspecified monetary damages in their lawsuit.
