Black Man Sues Company For Discrimination After Securing Job Interview Once He Changed His Name To 'John Jebrowski'

Once a Black man changed his name from "Dwight Jackson" to "John Jebrowski" on his resume, he secured a job interview. Now, he's suing for defamation.

Dwight Jackson is suing Shinola Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, alleging he was denied a job when he applied with his legal name, 'CNN' reports. With the same education and experience, but just a name change, he was later offered an interview under the moniker "John Jebrowski."

The lawsuit alleges the 27-year-old was denied a job in "violation of Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act."

"Mr. Jackson had applied for a job that he was eminently qualified for," Marko, a civil rights attorney, told the outlet. His job experience included employment at Detroit's Marriott Westin Book Cadillac and David Whitney Hotel.

Between January and April, Jackson applied to Shinola Hotel using nearly identical resumes, but alternative dates of previous employment, but "under a more readily apparent Caucasian name, with the alias 'John Jebrowski.' "

Within the same week of applying, he was offered multiple interviews under the name John.

Marko told 'CNN' how being "denied a job in 2024 in your hometown, for the color of your skin, goes beyond dollars and cents. It goes into the psyche of a person."

Jackson reportedly attended the interview and confronted the employee. There, he revealed his true identity and his speculation that his legal name prohibited him from being granted an interview.

"We take this allegation very seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind," Anna Stancioff, Sage Hospitality's Senior Corporate Director of PR & Brand Communications, said in an email on Tuesday. "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."