Roberts, Bari-Ellen

Born August 21, 1952. Initiator and lead plaintiff, Roberts vs. Texaco; Writer; Businesswoman. Bari-Ellen Roberts was born August 21, 1952, to Herman Roberts and Emma McElhaney. She attended the Burdett Elementary School and Walnut Hills High Shool. She later attended Muskingum College in Ohio and then transfered to Xavier University in Cininnati. In 1973, Roberts moved to Chicago and found a job with the Prudential Insurance Company. At the same time, Roberts attended Mundelein College, graduating in 1978. In 1994, Roberts became the lead plaintiff in the then largest class action suit in American history based on racial discrimination, which was ultimatley settled in 1996. Roberts, in collaboration with Jack E. White, a national correspondence for Time Magazine, produced the book, Roberts vs. Texaco.