[shhrubbery!]

If there is a prejudice against "black sounding" names, likely this is because employers instinctively try to avoid hiring a new employee who may turn out to be problematic (e.g. hostile to other employees, chronically late, insubordinate).

The employer is likely reacting to the "black sounding" name in the same way as he or she would react to a job applicant who arrived for his interview wearing a backwards baseball cap and falling-down jeans.

Fair? No, undoubtedly there are thousands of Americans who have "black sounding" names who are great employees.

But many employers know they can't take afford to take the risk of hiring someone who will turn out to be unsuitable ... and who may then haul the employer into federal court with a lawsuit for "discrimination," when actually fired for cause.

[Steely Tom]

I have first-hand knowledge of a black employee of a financial institution in Philadelphia. The individual was unusually intelligent, and seemed to me to be a hardworking, productive employee.

I know he was local because of his accent.

He went by a very appealing "white" name in the office. I have always thought that he must have taken the name himself, as a conscious decision.

I didn't know him well; I would see him when I went there for meetings with one of his coworkers. But I certainly noticed him, and he impressed me; I've never forgotten him, even though I haven't seen him in fifteen years.