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A California Bay Area business issued an apology after a prominent Black sports journalist took to social media with claims that some of its employees racially profiled him while he visited with a group of friends on Saturday.
"My friends and I, all African-American, were racially profiled at a store in Healdsburg called @antheminteriors [Anthem Interiors] by the two employees," Marc Spears, ESPN writer and co-host of "The Conversations Project" on Hulu, posted in part on Instagram Sunday.
"When things like that happen, I get angry inside and feel pressure to buy something expensive to prove my worth and their wrong," he continued. "After refraining from the urge, I tried to give the lady that worked there the benefit of the doubt by asking if she knew where the nearest bathroom was.
Marc Spears attends "Game Change Game" premiere during the 2022 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 14, 2022, in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
"She suggested that I go to the @healdsburgpolicedepartment across the street to use their facilities. Confused I asked her why would I go to the bathroom at a police station? Her response was that it will be OK they won’t arrest you. I immediately departed and found a bathroom at a very friendly wine bar across the street called @liocowineco."
Spears concluded the post, writing that he loves the city of Heraldsburg and the alleged incident will not prevent him from returning.
With one final note, he said, "Thanks to the ones that show love, not ignorance and racism."
FLORIDA MAYOR ACCUSED OF RACISM DURING EXCHANGE WITH HISPANIC COMMISSIONER, LATER APOLOGIZES
ESPN writer and co-host of Hulu's "The Conversations Project" took to Instagram to call out the Healdsburg business for allegedly racially profiling him and his group. (Fox News)
Anthem Interiors founder Janelle Loevner reached out to Spears to personally apologize after the incident, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, noting she was shocked to find out about the incident and was "deeply sorry" about the experience.
Spears accepted the apology, believing it was "sincere."
When reached for comment, Loevner told Fox News Digital, "I'm deeply sorry that this happened. This incident does not reflect our values as a company and what we stand for as a family business."
The report added that Loevner continued by saying, "I worked really long and hard to build a solid business. I care deeply about the community, my employees, about all of it — so for this to happen it’s just devastating."
Gregory Lee, one of the members of Spears' group, reportedly took particular exception to the implication that the group would worry about being arrested by police.
Loevner, saying the remark was likely intended to be a joke with no racist intentions, recognized it as "not funny and clearly offensive."
"Marc was given no context as to why we would send him to the police station to use the bathroom. We send everyone there because it is the closest public restroom. Had he known that, he may have felt differently about the comments. I've had many conversations with him since the incident, he is very forgiving and understanding, which I immensely admire and appreciate," Loevner said in an email to Fox News Digital.
"As a retail business owner, having 6 people enter a small 1000+ sq foot store right before closing is always an attention getter, no matter the groups' race, age, or make up. Sadly, shoplifting often happens in groups and an incident of theft had happened that same day to our next door neighbor. Marc and his group certainly did not look threatening in any way, our employees were just making themselves available and noticeable, as is necessary in these times, especially in the Bay Area."
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