Black woman sues Belk for $5 million, alleging racial profiling while shopping
Belk department store is being sued by a Black woman who alleges racial profiling where she was falsely accused of shoplifting and unlawfully detained.
The incident happened May 27, 2024, at a Belk store in Gadsden, Alabama, according to the lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama. The Charlotte-based department store chain has nearly 300 stores in 16 Southeastern states.
Gadsden resident Rachel Jenkins alleged in her lawsuit that her civil rights were violated when she was “detained, questioned, humiliated and interrogated” against her will by two Belk employees at the Gadsden Mall store at 1001 Rainbow Drive.
Belk and its employees “suspected (Jenkins) of shoplifting based upon her race, national origin, ethnicity and/or color pursuant to a policy, pattern and practice of racially profiling individuals of color who patronize its stores,” the lawsuit said.
Jenkins was “monitored, surveilled and tracked when she walked into Belk to shop,” according to the complaint.
Jenkins was detained by the employees without cause and forced to empty her shopping bags, which contained items from other stores and receipts, according to the legal filing.
Finding no stolen merchandise, the only explanation given by the asset protection employee was: “It has been a long day,” the lawsuit said.
As a result of Belk’s actions, Jenkins is suing for search and seizure without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, unlawful detainment, civil assault and discriminatory treatment based on her color and race, among other claims.
“Plaintiff feared for her safety,” the lawsuit said.
Jenkins is seeking $5 million in damages, plus attorney’s fees.
Neither Belk nor Jenkins’ lawyer Patricia Granger in Gadsden responded to requests for comment from The Charlotte Observer.
About Belk
The Belk family sold its iconic department store to private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $3 billion in December 2015.
The sale loaded the chain with over $2 billion in debt as department stores nationwide were losing popularity. In February 2021, Belk filed for and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy the same day. Belk had more than 20,000 employees, including 1,300 corporate office workers at 2801 W. Tyvola Road, The Charlotte Observer reported at the time.
In July 2024, Belk unloaded more than $950 million in debt and gave some lenders controlling interests in the company.
Belk also is facing several lawsuits following the data breach that occurred between May 7 and May 11, and for allegedly concealing the cyberattack.
This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM.
