Russ Graham, co-owner of Flight Restaurant & Wine Barat at 39 S. Main St. and Monroe, has been forced out of the business in response to allegations of racism and sexism at Flight and some of its sister restaurants.

The former employees also said the restaurants’ owner, Flight Restaurant Group, was very selective about who was hired, employing very few black people and those they did hire worked in the kitchen area.

All Memphis City Council members co-sponsored Smiley’s resolution and voted to support a hold on all city contracts with Flight Memphis, LLC, pending an investigation.

Smiley read the email to councilmembers and the public, stating that Flight Memphis, LLC, decided to buy out co-owner Russ Graham who “will no longer be an owner, affiliated with, or an employee of any fashion with any of their restaurants.

Smiley said, “The voices of the people, the voices of this council have been heard and have been taken seriously by Flight Restaurant.”