A planned “student of color” only field trip at Highland Park Senior High School (HPSHS) has been canceled after a federal civil rights complaint alleged it was racially discriminatory.
The trip, which was meant to introduce students to the world of digital marketing at the Betty Marketing Agency in Minneapolis, was advertised as being restricted to students of color.
More news from Highland Park HS. We posted an unsanctioned student walkout over support for illegal aliens last week that went undisciplined.
Now, the school is discriminating against white people by offering a field trip only for "students of color." Pretty sure that's illegal.… pic.twitter.com/9cofnFBDbN
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) February 25, 2025
Civil rights complaint filed over alleged discrimination
Mark J. Perry, an emeritus professor at the University of Michigan known for challenging race-based policies in education, wasted no time in filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Perry argued that the school’s decision to exclude non-minority students from the opportunity violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally-funded institutions.
“Just as it would be illegal and objectionable for HPSHS to offer a Field Trip that explicitly excluded students of color (‘students of color need not apply’), it’s equally illegal and objectionable to host a racially segregated Field Trip exclusively for ‘students of color’ (‘students not of color need not apply’),” stated Perry.
Highland Park High School cancels event
The backlash was swift. Within hours of the complaint being filed, the school pulled the plug on the trip.
Crime Watch Minneapolis posted an email from Winston Tucker, Highland Park Senior High School principal, stating that the event has been cancelled by the organizer.
3/
Victory! Thanks to an alert SPPS parent for letting us know about Highland Park HS's racially discriminatory event which has now been canceled following the filing of a federal civil rights complaint this morning.If you see something, say something. Keep sending your tips. pic.twitter.com/zBVXi8Qyj7
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) February 25, 2025
In an email to Tucker, Perry urged the principal to investigate how the event was organized in the first place, and to ensure faculty are properly trained to avoid similar missteps in the future.
“Let me also respectfully suggest that you conduct a thorough review of your civil rights policies and procedures to determine how this blatant, objectionable, and unlawful racial segregation was allowed to be planned, scheduled, and promoted,” Perry stated.
Official response from organizer
Alpha News requested comment on the event’s formation, subsequent cancellation, and eligibility based on race.
The BrandLab, which organized the event, confirmed the cancellation of the field trip.
“The BrandLab is a nonprofit organization based in the Twin Cities with operations in Milwaukee as well. The organization has been in existence for over 15 years and is committed to inclusivity in marketing and advertising, truly representing the world we live in,” Kelli Williams, CEO of the BrandLab, said in a statement. “One of our programs provides exposure opportunities for high school students to learn more about the advertising and marketing professions through field trips to local agencies and businesses.
“We were working with Highland Park High School to find 11th and 12th grade students interested in attending a field trip on Thursday, February 27th. There was a complaint filed regarding this field trip. As a result, we did cancel the field trip for Thursday. We are working to find an opportunity for students from Highland Park High School to attend a field trip before the end of the school year.”
Erica Wacker, a spokesperson for Saint Paul Public Schools, acknowledged the district’s partnerships with community organizations but did not address concerns over the field trip’s eligibility criteria.
“Saint Paul Public Schools values our partnerships with community organizations and the opportunities they provide for our students,” Wacker said in a statement. “The district remains committed to providing post-secondary and career-related opportunities for all of our students to pursue their passions.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
