Ex-Brown orchestra director alleges racial bias in firing

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The former music director of the Brown University Orchestra says he has filed a complaint with Rhode Island's human rights commission alleging he was fired because he is black.

Brandon Keith Brown tells The Providence Journal he "felt like a token" at the Ivy League school and was "cut down due to racism."

The university in a statement said it "will defend vigorously against the allegation" and doesn't tolerate any kind of discrimination.

Neither the 39-year-old Brown nor the university commented when he was fired in 2017. But students affiliated with the orchestra said at the time they complained the director was overly strict, rude and unwilling to listen to the orchestra's student leaders.

The commission's executive director says he couldn't confirm or deny the existence of the case.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com