Dwight Jackson, a 27-year-old Black man, is suing the Shinola Hotel in Detroit. He claims he was offered an interview only after changing his name on his résumé. According to Jackson, his application under his real name was denied. When he reapplied using the name “John Jebrowski,” he received an interview offer.
Jackson’s attorney, Jon Marko, stated, “Mr. Jackson had applied for a job that he was eminently qualified for.” Marko noted that Jackson’s résumé detailed his experience as a “Front Desk Agent” at the Marriott Westin Book Cadillac and David Whitney Hotel in Detroit. “To be denied a job in 2024 in your hometown, for the color of your skin, goes beyond dollars and cents,” Marko added. “It goes into the psyche of a person.”
Hotel’s Response To Jackson and Legal Action
The Shinola Hotel, operated by Sage Hospitality Group, is under scrutiny for this alleged discrimination. Anna Stancioff, the senior corporate director of PR and brand communications at Sage Hospitality, shared a statement.
“We take this allegation very seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” she said. “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.”
The lawsuit, filed on July 3, claims the hotel violated the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. It reads, “Jackson established that the Defendant’s consideration of candidates was based on the racial appearance of the applicant’s name.” Jackson attended the interview using the name “John Jebrowski” but revealed his true identity during the process. He was subsequently informed that he was no longer a viable candidate.
Marko emphasized the broader implications of this case. “We’ve seen a lot of discrimination in hiring, especially when it comes to the exclusion of minorities and individuals who have minority-sounding names,” he said. “Jackson wants to shed light on this problem that’s not just isolated at the Shinola Hotel, not just isolated in Detroit or Michigan, but across the country.”
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that name bias is a prevalent issue in hiring. Marko acknowledged the difficulty in proving such cases but believes Jackson’s experience is a clear example. “He wants to make sure that it doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Marko concluded.