Black Job Seeker Sues Hotel, Says He Was Ignored Until He Used A White-Sounding Name

A Black man from Detroit filed a lawsuit against a local luxury hotel. He claimed that he only got an interview opportunity after he changed his name on his résumé to one that appeared Caucasian.

27-year-old Dwight Jackson sued the Shinola Hotel, revealing that his job applications were ignored when he applied under his real name. However, he received an interview invitation by using the name “John Jebrowski.”

According to CNN, the lawsuit, filed on July 3, asserts that the hotel’s actions violate the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race.

Jackson’s Experience And Lawsuit

Jackson has a robust background in the hospitality industry. He previously worked as a Front Desk Agent at prestigious Detroit hotels such as the Marriott Westin Book Cadillac and the David Whitney Hotel. Between January and April 2024, Jackson applied multiple times for a reception role at the Shinola Hotel. But, despite his qualifications and consistent work history, his applications under his real name received no response.

Frustrated by the lack of feedback, Jackson decided to reapply using the alias “John Jebrowski.” He kept the rest of his résumé unchanged. This time, he received multiple interview invitations within the same week. This discrepancy led Jackson to believe that his initial rejection was due to the racial connotation of his name. “Mr. Jackson had applied for a job that he was eminently qualified for,” said Jon Marko, Jackson’s attorney, told CNN. “To be denied a job in your hometown, for the color of your skin, goes beyond dollars and cents. It goes into the psyche of a person.”

The lawsuit claims that Jackson went to the interview and told the interviewer his real name, saying that he felt his first applications were rejected because of his race. Not long after this altercation, Jackson learned he wasn’t being considered for the job anymore.

Broader Context Of Racial Discrimination In Hiring

In response to the allegations, Anna Stancioff, Senior Corporate Director of PR and Brand Communications for Sage Hospitality Group, which operates the Shinola Hotel, stated to CNN: “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.”

As of today, racial discrimination in hiring remains a significant issue in the United States. A National Bureau of Economic Research study found that résumés with names perceived as Black received significantly fewer callbacks than those with names perceived as white. This bias in the hiring process has long-term economic and psychological impacts on affected individuals. Jackson’s lawsuit aims to highlight this pervasive issue, not just within Shinola Hotel but across the country. “He wants to make sure that it doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Marko said.