A Black man is suing a Detroit hotel for alleged discrimination and racial bias after changing his name on his resume secured him an interview. Dwight Jackson claims the Shinola Hotel overlooked him until he applied with a more Caucasian-sounding alias.
Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Detroit Hotel
A Black man is suing a Detroit hotel, alleging discrimination after changing the name on his resume secured him an interview. The lawsuit, filed by Dwight Jackson, claims the Shinola Hotel initially denied him a job interview.
Allegations of Name-Based Bias
Jackson’s lawsuit asserts that he was overlooked as “Dwight Jackson” but got an interview as “John Jebrowski.” This incident reportedly violates the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Multiple Applications and Rejections
Between January and April 2024, Jackson, 27, applied for several positions at the Shinola Hotel, including a reception role. The hotel, known for its luxury, didn’t respond to his applications under his real name.
Qualifications and Experience
Jackson’s resume shows consistent employment at high-end hotels like the Marriott Westin Book Cadillac and the David Whitney Hotel. Despite his qualifications, the Shinola Hotel didn’t offer him an interview initially.
Name Change Leads to Different Outcome
In April 2024, Jackson reapplied with a different name, “John Jebrowski,” and received multiple interview offers within a week. His resumes, nearly identical except for employment dates, led to this change in response.
Basis of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit argues that the hotel’s hiring decisions were influenced by the racial implications of the applicant’s name. Jackson’s attorney provided evidence showing the discriminatory practice.
The Impact of Discrimination
Marko emphasized the profound effect of being denied a job in 2024 due to skin color, describing it as a deep psychological blow. He stressed that this issue goes far beyond financial implications.
Hotel’s Response to Allegations
Sage Hospitality Group, the operator of Shinola Hotel, responded to the allegations with a firm stance against discrimination. They expressed their commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace in a statement.
Confrontation During Interview
Jackson attended the interview under his alias and confronted the interviewer about his real identity. He explained that he believed his initial application was rejected due to the racial connotations of his name.
Immediate Rejection After Revelation
The lawsuit states that Jackson was promptly informed he was no longer a candidate after revealing his true identity. This swift decision followed his confrontation during the interview.
Widespread Issue of Employment Discrimination
Marko noted that employment discrimination, especially based on minority-sounding names, is common. He mentioned that such cases are difficult to prove and often fail to advance due to insufficient evidence.
Study Highlights Name Bias
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research confirmed the prevalence of name bias in hiring. It found that resumes with Black male and female names received the fewest callbacks from employers.
Challenges in Proving Name Bias
Marko acknowledged the difficulty in proving name bias but highlighted the strength of Jackson’s case. Jackson’s dual application with nearly identical resumes but different names provided compelling evidence of discrimination.
Jackson’s Mission for Change
Marko stated that Jackson aims to expose and address this widespread issue. Jackson’s goal is to prevent others from facing similar discrimination, highlighting that this problem extends beyond Detroit and Michigan.
