I stood up to retaliation. Now I’m asking the Michigan Supreme Court to review my case. Sign and share to demand due process for all.

Are you willing to stand up and be an ally for justice?

My name is Zara Northover I’m a TEDx speaker, Olympian, entrepreneur, and community advocate. I’ve been navigating a complex legal battle as a Pro Se (self-represented) litigant after experiencing retaliation for raising protected concerns about racial equity and inclusion in the workplace.

The Chief Risk Officer of Rocket Mortgage threatened me saying:
"If you continue down this path, it won’t end well for you."
Shortly after, I received a birthday card with a gorilla on the front signed by the CEO and COO that said, “I see a great year in your future… or bananas. Happy Birthday Anyway!” 

That moment triggered deep emotional harm. I went on medical leave. In that quiet space and on the healing journey, I found strength and the courage to file a complaint. When I returned to work, the retaliation escalated and new harms took place. My small team dissolved, I was forced to transfer, improperly trained, publicly humiliated, had about a $20,000 pay cut and blocked advancements to teams that were better suited and leaders offered to hire me.

When I followed the judicial process and went through the EEOC process then filed a second legal claim, the trial court dismissed my case before discovery, denying me any opportunity to present evidence. This violated established law. I’ve been fighting through the Michigan Court of Appeals and now before the Michigan Supreme Court (MSC Docket No. 168725). If necessary, I will take my case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

As Malcolm X once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” And data proves that Black women are more likely to be underpaid, retaliated against, and dismissed.

This case asks a critical question:
Can a corporation use legal technicalities to silence those who speak up about injustice especially when that person doesn’t have a lawyer?

The Michigan Supreme Court has a chance to set the record straight and restore faith in our courts.

 
🔔 HOW YOU CAN HELP!
✅ Sign this petition to show your support for fair access to justice.
✅ Write a letter to the Michigan Supreme Court urging them to grant review.

• Letters can be submitted via the MiFILE portal:
  Link to Sign up and Submit your Letter in Support of Zara Northover MSC168725

• Reference: MSC Docket No. 168725 – Northover v. Rocket Mortgage

• Submission Deadline: August 13, 2025

Or mail to:

Michigan Supreme Court – Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 30052
Lansing, MI 48909

 *mail should be received by August 12th to allow time to process

No one should be denied their day in court simply because they’re not a lawyer. So I ask you to support this pursuit that is bigger than me as it affects thousands many of which worked for the same company.

Your voice matters. Your support matters. Let the Michigan Supreme Court know that the public is watching and that justice should belong to everyone.