What is the legal test for a plaintiff to bring a Title VII claim against an employer for racial discrimination?

To prevail on a Title VII claim based on racial discrimination, the plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination thereby creating a presumption that the employer unlawfully discriminated. See Texas Dep't of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 252-53 (1981). Once the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason for its action. See id. at 253. The burden then shifts back to the plaintiff to show that the defendant's articulated reason was a pretext for discrimination. See id.