Black American Man Sues Detroit Hotel for Discrimination After Getting Job Interview Only When He Changed His Name on Resume

A Black man has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against the Shinola Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, alleging he was only offered a job interview after changing his name on his resume to one that sounded more Caucasian, according to the lawsuit obtained by CNN.

Dwight Jackson filed the lawsuit on July 3, claiming he was denied an interview when he applied as “Dwight Jackson” but later received multiple interview offers when he applied under the name “John Jebrowski.”

The lawsuit, citing the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, alleges Jackson was denied a job due to racial bias.

Between January and April 2024, Jackson, a 27-year-old Black man, applied to several positions at the Shinola Hotel, including a role in reception.

Despite his qualifications, which include previous roles as a “Front Desk Agent” at Detroit’s Marriott Westin Book Cadillac and David Whitney Hotel, Jackson did not receive an interview under his real name, his attorney Jon Marko told CNN.

In April 2024, Jackson reapplied using the name “John Jebrowski” with nearly identical resumes, only to receive multiple interview offers within the same week.

The lawsuit alleges this demonstrates the hotel’s racial bias based on the name’s appearance.

Marko emphasized the psychological impact of being denied a job due to racial discrimination, stating, “To be denied a job in 2024 in your hometown, for the color of your skin, goes beyond dollars and cents. It goes into the psyche of a person.”

Sage Hospitality Group, Shinola Hotel’s operating partner, responded through spokesperson Anna Stancioff, saying, “We take this allegation very seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and are dedicated to building a diverse workforce that reflects the community.”

According to the lawsuit, Jackson attended the interview under the alias, revealed his true identity, and confronted the interviewer about the racial bias.

He was subsequently informed he was no longer a viable candidate for the position.

Marko noted that employment discrimination, particularly name bias, is a widespread issue. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that resumes with Black-sounding names received the fewest callbacks from employers.

While proving name bias can be challenging, Marko believes Jackson’s case stands out due to the clear evidence of different outcomes based on the name used in the applications.

Jackson aims to shed light on this issue and ensure it doesn’t happen to others, Marko said, emphasizing that the problem is not just isolated to the Shinola Hotel or Detroit but is a nationwide concern.