DETROIT – A lawsuit filed Wednesday against the Shinola Hotel in Detroit claims the company discriminated against a Black man applying to work there.
Dwight Jackson, a 27-year-old Detroit resident, claims he applied for multiple positions at the downtown hotel in the first few months of 2024, but was never contacted for an interview. He then decided to apply for two “similar positions” using an alias that sounded more Caucasian, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday, July 3.
On two occasions, Jackson allegedly applied for positions at Shinola Hotel using his exact same resume, but he changed the name to “John Jebrowski.” The lawsuit claims Jackson -- or, rather, his alias -- was contacted for an interview within the same week of submitting applications under the Jebrowski name.
Jackson did end up going through the interview process, and was told he wasn’t a “viable candidate for the position,” the lawsuit says. Jackson and his attorneys claim he was not considered for the positions because of his race. They also claim Jackson was punished for complaining to the company about the alleged discriminatory practices.
Local 4 requested a comment from Shinola Hotel regarding this lawsuit. It can be read below.
“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."
Sage Hospitality, Shinola Hotel Operating Partner
Jackson is suing the hotel for allegedly violating Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against potential and existing employees based on their race, religion, sex, martial status, and other factors. The lawsuit is seeking monetary relief from Shinola Hotel, but a specific figure was not listed in the lawsuit.
Read the entire complaint filed against Shinola below.