Nationwide — Dwight Jackson, a 27-year-old African American man from Detroit, Michigan, has filed a lawsuit against Shinola Hotel, claiming he was granted a job interview only after changing his name on his resume. He believes his initial applications were ignored because his name sounded traditionally African American.
According to CNN, Jackson applied for various roles at Shinola Hotel between January and April 2024, including receptionist positions, but received no response under his original name.
His attorney, Jon Marko, provided evidence showing Jackson’s qualifications, including past roles at luxury hotels in Detroit. He said, “Mr. Jackson had applied for a job that he was eminently qualified for.”
In April 2024, Jackson reapplied with a different name, “John Jebrowski,” using a nearly identical resume. This time, he allegedly received multiple interview offers within the same week.
According to the lawsuit, Jackson asserts that the hotel’s consideration of candidates was influenced by the racial connotations of their names, a claim that falls under the “Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act.”
Jackson attended the interviews under the alias and confronted the interviewer. He revealed his true identity and claimed he was initially overlooked due to his name sounding traditionally African American. After the interview, he was told he was no longer a viable candidate.
Meanwhile, Sage Hospitality Group, which manages the hotel, emphasized their commitment to inclusivity and stated they take the allegations seriously.
“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,” said Anna Stancioff, Sage Hospitality’s Senior Corporate Director of PR & Brand Communications and spokesperson.
Moreover, Marko highlighted the broader issue of name bias in hiring practices, citing a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research showing lower callback rates for resumes with Black-sounding names.
Jackson hopes his lawsuit will shed light on this pervasive issue and prevent similar discrimination in the future.
