Robinson v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Plaintiffs Ronald L. Robinson, III (“Robinson”) and Deborah Robinson, husband and wife, appeal the district court’s judgment in favor of Defendants R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (“RJR”) and Don Knoll on Robinson’s racial discrimination claim. We AFFIRM.

BACKGROUND

Robinson, an African-American, began working as a sales representative for RJR in 1972 after he was hired by Bill James, the African-American division manager for RJR’s Central Detroit Division. James reported to a regional manager and, in 1988, Knoll became the regional manager. From 1972 through 1983, the Central Division had both…