Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
“Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) closes the gap.”
Kenji Yoshino
Please take time to view this pod cast, “Assembly Required” by Stacy Abrams. She speaks with Kenji Yoshino, director of the New York University’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. This constitutional law professor, discusses how DEI made America Great and still can.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, (DEIA) can and has been of benefit to everyone; companies have benefitted in many ways, including improved innovation, employee retention, and customer satisfaction. DEIA promotes a better response to customer needs and perceptions of the organization. It creates an environment that empowers employees, thus increasing loyalty and connection in the workplace. www.http://groupsbenefitfromdei
The Legal Defense fund (LDF) and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit challenging three executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. These anti-equity executive orders threaten civil rights and the ability of organizations to provide vital social and health services, including but not limited to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The lawsuit targets three executive orders signed by President Trump on January 20 and 21:
- Executive Order No. 14151 – Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing
- Executive Order No. 14168 – Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government
- Executive Order No. 14173 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Together, these orders terminate equity-related grants and ban federally funded entities from engaging in DEIA efforts or acknowledging transgender identities. Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of LDF described the orders as “unconstitutional attacks on historically marginalized communities,” adding that they “perpetuate false stereotypes and undermine multiracial democracy.”
Lambda’s Legal HIV Project Director, Jose Abrigo, called the policies “dangerous and dehumanizing,” emphasizing their potential to “put lives at risk” by defunding health services vital to marginalized groups.
These programs expanded on the Civil Rights Act, signed in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, outlawing employment discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color and national origin.
DEI is a concept that applies to people from all backgrounds, including people of different races, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.
DEI endorses availability to education, employment, and housing for everyone in the alleged, United States of America, as opportunity should be open for all. I would argue that this is a basic need to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps”. How should we accomplish this task when our boots are constantly being stolen? How is there a need to continue this fight in the 21st century? Historically and in the present, under every chapter when we take a step or two forward, our United States knocks us back 3 or 4 steps. Is the United States truly united when people of privilege oppose the marginalized?
DEIA for everyone
- Race: People of all races, including people of color
- Gender: People of all genders, including men and women
- Sexual orientation: People of all sexual orientations
- Disability: People with all abilities, including people with disabilities
- Religion: People of all religions
- Age: People of all ages
- Socioeconomic status: People of all socioeconomic statuses
- Veteran status: People of all veteran statuses
- National origin: People of all national origins
- www.http://groupsbenefitfromdei
Please also navigate to Targetfast.org to view the “Voter Wallet” a strategy to redirect spending, and empower our communities. Here you can watch the Black Wall Street Ticker report for community spending. You may also consider celebrating and redirecting your spending with corporate allies of DEIA.