Civil rights leaders this week characterized President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government as “an attack on people.”
“When they say they do not want diversity, they are saying they want the opposite … The opposite of inclusion is radicalized exclusion,” said Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, during a roundtable discussion Wednesday. “DEI is not a handout or a favor, but it is part of their legal obligation.”
The “Demand Diversity Roundtable” discussion brought together civil rights leaders from diverse communities to discuss Trump’s new policies.
The National Urban League organized the roundtable discussion after Trump signed 26 executive orders in his first day in office. One order eliminated DEI programs and positions within the federal government. Another ordered the Department of Labor to “immediately cease” promoting diversity, requiring federal contractors to take affirmative action, and allowing federal contractors and subcontractors to consider diversity in their hiring practices.
“There is a pressing need to safeguard DEI principles, confront regressive measures, and chart actionable strategies for advancing equal opportunity for all,” said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League.
The Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, called Trump’s actions “illegal, immoral and discriminatory.”
“Let’s be clear, by remaining silent, we are making it safe to discriminate in government, in the military, in the private sector … to discriminate against women, LBTGQ people, et cetera. The executive order is tailored to instill fear. If you ignore the law, we will be here to remind you of it,” said attorney Alphonso David, president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum.
David said there is still a need for DEI programs in government and outside of it.
ONE OF THE RECOMMENATIONS OF THE DEMAND DIVERSITY ROUNDTABLE: Explain what DEI actually is. There are a lot of misconceptions about DEI. Learn more about the 8 areas covered by DEI in this story — Understanding Federal DEIA Programs
About 81% of Americans agree that corporate America should reflect the diversity of the American population and 78% of Americans support businesses taking active steps to make that happen, according to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation.
Samantha Tweedy of the Black Economic Alliance said the survey included liberals and conservatives.
“We sit here talking about demanding diversity, it is already what the majority of the country wants,” she said.
Tweedy said companies that value diversity are more effective than companies that don’t, and DEI programs benefit all Americans.
Arline-Bradley encouraged the roundtable’s diverse audience to remember that “we have the ability to have a voting block that can affect DEI.”
Actionable Items Emerging From Roundtable
Here are the action steps the group came up with to create a more inclusive and equitable society, mostly by addressing the various systemic barriers that exist.
Policy Advocacy: Emphasized the importance of continued policy advocacy to protect and promote DEI. This includes lobbying for laws and regulations that support equitable practices in education, employment, housing, and government contracts.
Educational Initiatives: Proposed developing and supporting educational programs that address implicit bias, cultural competence, and the history of marginalized communities. They stressed the significance of integrating these programs into school curriculums and workplaces.
Community Engagement: Highlighted the need for stronger community engagement efforts. This entails creating platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action among diverse groups to address common challenges.
Corporate Accountability: Encouraged businesses to adopt and maintain comprehensive DEI policies. This includes transparent reporting on DEI metrics, setting measurable goals, and holding leadership accountable.
Legal Defense: Urged the defense of existing DEI laws and protections in the courts2. Participants agreed on the necessity to challenge and counter any regressive policies that threaten DEI initiatives.
Social Media Campaigns: Planned to use social media for awareness campaigns that counter disinformation and promote positive narratives about diversity and inclusion.
Economic Inclusion: Suggested initiatives to provide equitable access to economic resources and opportunities, such as lending programs, grants, and mentorship for minority-owned businesses.
Participants in the Demand Diversity Roundtable
Participants of the “Demand Diversity Roundtable” called last week by the National Urban League included:
Marc H. Morial: President and CEO, National Urban League
Janai Nelson: President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Rev. Al Sharpton: Founder and President, National Action Network
Melanie Campbell: President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Juan Proaño: CEO, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Damon Hewitt: President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley: President and CEO, National Council of Negro Women
Virginia Kase Solomón: President and CEO, Common Cause
Margaret L. Huang: President and CEO, Southern Poverty Law Center
Maya Berry: Executive Director, Arab American Institute (AAI)
Brenda Victoria Castillo: President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition
Sheila Katz: CEO, National Council of Jewish Women
Gregg Orton: National Director, National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
Amy Spitalnick: CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Kelley Robinson: President, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Alphonso David: President and CEO, Global Black Economic Forum
Fatima Goss Graves: President and CEO, National Women’s Law Center
Samantha Tweedy: President, The Black Economic Alliance Foundation
Kimberlé Crenshaw: Co-founder and Executive Director, African American Policy Forum
