Weekly Analysis: What You Need to Know

Your essential guide to navigating today's complex landscape, offering insights on news and trends that impact underrepresented workers' careers and communities.

DEI Fact Scan Reveals Term ‘DEI’ Is Being Weaponized Against ALL Historically Underrepresented Workers

Sounding the Alarm

This week’s scan reveals a troubling trend: DEI is being weaponized to systematically reduce opportunities for historically underrepresented workers. From major corporations like Harley-Davidson abandoning diversity goals to universities like UNL closing DEI offices, these developments highlight a concerted effort to roll back progress. Even in healthcare and venture capital, legal attacks and drying funds are stifling opportunities for Black, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities. As these shifts accelerate, it’s clear that defending DEI requires organized, proactive resistance from leaders across industries.

Read more from Darein Burton at Perspectives On Leadership.

Policy Spotlight

Stay updated on key policy changes and legislation affecting your workplace rights and opportunities.

Vermont’s New Child Care Law Could Be A National Model for Closing the Gaps in Access and Affordability

Vermont’s recent child care law sets a bold precedent for addressing the national child care crisis. The legislation expands financial assistance eligibility, raises worker pay, and secures long-term funding through a dedicated payroll tax projected to raise $80 million annually. Since the law’s passage, the number of childcare providers in Vermont has grown, reversing a decade-long decline. With its bipartisan support, simplified reimbursement system, and focus on sustainable funding, Vermont’s approach offers a scalable solution for other states grappling with childcare shortages and affordability issues. This is the kind of policy blueprint that can drive equitable economic growth while ensuring that families receive the support they need.

Read more from Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene at Route Fifty.

One More Policy

• Affirmative Action Ban Creates MIT Diversity Dilemma: The Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to ban affirmative action has led to a steep decline in admissions from historically underrepresented racial groups at MIT. The university’s new intake shows a 10% drop in Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. In response, MIT is shifting its focus to socioeconomic diversity and expanding recruitment efforts for low-income students across all racial backgrounds. This story underscores the broad impact of policy changes on equitable access to higher education. Read more from Rachel Looker at BBC News.

Voices of Empowerment

Success for everyone: Get inspired by the achievements of everyday underrepresented Americans and find your own path to success.

Black Communities Driving Growth

The economic power of Black communities is a force that not only supports its members but also fuels broader societal growth. With a projected buying power of $1.8 trillion in 2024, Black consumers and entrepreneurs are key players in shaping markets, driving innovation, and building economic resilience. This article explores how strategic investments in education, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion are vital for overcoming barriers and unlocking the full potential of Black economic power.

Read more from Dr. James Bridgeforth at Word in Black.

Empowerment Roundup

• Angel Reese Turns Community Support into a Winning Brand Strategy: WNBA star Angel Reese’s partnership with The Hershey Company’s Reese’s brand is more than a sponsorship—it’s a testament to her strategic vision and connection with her community. After fans dubbed themselves “Reese’s Pieces,” Reese spent four years turning that buzz into an official deal. This partnership not only reflects her persistence but also highlights how underrepresented professionals can leverage community support and align with brands that reflect their values. Read more from Haniyah Philogene at TheGrio.

• Dolores “Loli” Alvarez Castilla is The Woman Behind National Latina Day: National Latina Day, celebrated every August 20, was created by Dolores “Loli” Alvarez Castilla in 2015 to empower and amplify the voices of Latina women. What started as a simple Facebook page has evolved into a nationwide celebration of Latina achievements, resilience, and cultural pride. Castilla’s vision was to counter stereotypes and show the world the brilliance, strength, and contributions of Latina women. Read more from Raina Vale at Luz Media.

DEI Insights Corner

Discover the latest in DEI innovations and strategies. Every historically underrepresented worker and ally should know best practices and emerging trends for inclusive workplaces.

NWSL’s New Agreement Shows How DEI Should Evolve-Real Gains Through Labor Rights

The National Women’s Soccer League’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) marks a transformative moment for player empowerment and equitable compensation. With the minimum salary set to rise from $48,500 in 2025 to $82,500 by 2030, and the salary cap increasing accordingly, the league is leading the charge on how DEI should evolve—through labor rights and unionization. By the union winning unrestricted free agency and tying salary caps to revenue growth, the NWSL is setting a new standard for closing wage and wealth gaps. This agreement is a powerful example of how DEI can be more than just a buzzword; it can drive structural changes that prioritize fair compensation and worker autonomy.

Read more from Ritika Shah and Leslie Picker at CNBC.

DEI Insights Roundup

• Dr. Vic Baker on Overcoming Opposition the Future of DEI: As resistance to DEI initiatives grows, Dr. Vic Baker offers a clear path forward with data-driven strategies that demonstrate the financial and cultural benefits of diversity. In this article, Dr. Baker highlights several tactics to address pushback, including comprehensive DEI training that tackles unconscious bias and systemic racism, transparent accountability metrics tied to leadership goals, and diverse hiring practices using blind recruitment techniques. By focusing on both education and strategic action, Dr. Baker emphasizes that DEI is not just a moral imperative but a business strategy that drives innovation and success. His approach is a blueprint for how companies can navigate the socio-political dynamics that threaten progress and ensure that equity remains a priority. Read more from Dr. Vic Baker at Forbes.

• The Role of Leadership in Driving DEI Success: A new piece from Forbes emphasizes that effective DEI initiatives rely on strong leadership commitment. Leaders play a critical role in modeling inclusive behaviors, addressing biases, and ensuring that DEI goals align with organizational objectives. The article outlines five expectations for leaders to champion DEI, including actively listening to diverse perspectives, supporting cultural celebrations, and accepting DEI commitments even if they differ from personal beliefs. Overcoming fears about being labeled as “woke” or political, along with educating leaders about the value of DEI, is crucial for sustainable success. Organizations should provide clear expectations, continuous education, and accountability structures to ensure that DEI isn’t just a box to check, but a genuine driver of innovation and inclusion. Read more from Julie Kratz at Forbes.

• Where is the Follow-through on Racial Equity Pledges: Despite pledging millions to racial equity initiatives after the Ferguson uprising and George Floyd’s murder, many corporations have fallen short on transparency and follow-through. For instance, AT&T’s $10 million pledge to HBCUs remains unverified, while Johnson & Johnson reported spending $80 million of a promised $100 million toward racial health equity but did not disclose specific recipients. Companies are increasingly opting to provide goods, services, and volunteer hours instead of direct funding, making it harder to measure the true impact of their commitments. With transparency lacking, holding corporations accountable is an ongoing challenge for communities. With limited public reporting requirements, it remains challenging to track whether these commitments are truly being met, raising concerns about corporate accountability for stated corporate giving initiatives especially when they relate to racial equity initiatives. Read more from the Associated Press via TheGrio.

• As Some Corporations Abandon DEI, It’s Time to Support Brands that Stand for Equity: Brown-Forman, the parent company of Jack Daniel’s, is the latest corporation to abandon its DEI goals, choosing instead to focus on business performance metrics. This shift highlights a troubling trend where companies backtrack on diversity commitments due to legal pressures and political activism. But as some brands retreat from equity initiatives, others are stepping up. Beyoncé’s new whiskey line, SirDavis, launched in collaboration with Moët Hennessy, is a shining example of how consumers can redirect their spending toward businesses that align with values of inclusion and heritage. Supporting brands like SirDavis, Uncle Nearest, and other Black-owned spirits can be a powerful way to push back against corporate regression and celebrate equity-driven entrepreneurship. Read more from Ray Lewis at News4 San Francisco. Read more about Beyonce’s new whiskey at CNBC.

• When DEI Becomes the Tool to Stop the Economic Independence and Leadership of Historically Underrepresented Workers: Colorful Capital’s struggle to raise funds for investing in LGBTQIA+ founders is just one example of a larger trend—using DEI as an excuse to freeze economic opportunities for historically underrepresented workers. Amidst broader corporate, nonprofit, and investor pullbacks, DEI initiatives are increasingly under fire, with equity-focused funds being among the first casualties. This reflects a disturbing reality: DEI is being weaponized to slow the momentum toward economic independence and leadership for historically underrepresented communities. As the market tightens, we need to double down on securing the resources necessary to empower underrepresented founders, ensuring DEI doesn’t become just another barrier. Read more from Dominic-Madori Davis at TechCrunch.

• Loyola’s CARE Pathway Program Faces Federal Complaint Amid DEI Backlash: Loyola University Chicago’s CARE Pathway to the BSN program, designed to support students of color entering nursing, is now under federal scrutiny for alleged racial discrimination. The program, funded by a $2.2 million federal grant, was developed to address disparities in nursing by focusing on recruiting and supporting Black and Latino students. Critics argue that such race-conscious initiatives may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This complaint shows the ever-broadening use of the term DEI to justify broader and more malicious attacks at all levels of the American economy. This raises cost and legal concerns about how institutions can balance targeted support for underrepresented groups within legal constraints. This case also brings into focus the shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in historically underrepresented communities. Read more from Pedro Rodriguez-Aparicio at The College Fix.

Actionable Ideas & Resources

Empower your career with targeted strategies and tools to overcome systemic barriers and achieve your career and personal goals.

A Nunery’s Faith in God Leads to Values-based Stock Market Oversight

A small group of Benedictine nuns in Kansas has been making waves in corporate America through strategic investment activism. By pooling modest resources, they’ve pushed companies like Google and Chevron to address human rights, environmental sustainability, and board diversity. Have you ever thought about starting an investment group in your family or community? This model highlights how everyday people can create community-driven investment groups to advocate for ethical practices. Why we’re highlighting this: This article offers a template for historically underrepresented professionals looking to form investment groups with the purpose of advancing social justice.

Read more from Tiffany Stanley at the Associated Press.

Resource Roundup

• How Community-Led Action Revitalized Frogtown’s Cultural Heart: The Frogtown Arts Festival in St. Paul marks the grand opening of 825 Arts, a community-driven cultural center born from grassroots efforts to reclaim and repurpose a historic building. This event highlights the power of local residents who raised over $7.25 million to preserve their neighborhood’s heritage while creating spaces for creativity and connection. Featuring performances by Hmong indie pop and hip-hop artists, the festival showcases how communities can transform neglected spaces into thriving cultural hubs. This is a powerful template for resisting gentrification by empowering communities to take ownership of their own revitalization. Read more from Myah Goff at Sahan Journal.

• A Paid Leave Toolkit for Business Leaders: UST Capital’s comprehensive guide offers corporate leaders a benchmarking toolkit for developing effective paid leave policies. The guide details industry trends across the Russell 1000, highlighting best practices like paid parental leave parity, unlimited PTO, and dependent care support. Companies that prioritize paid leave see gains in employee well-being, productivity, and retention while addressing gender and racial equity gaps. For leaders, this is a practical resource for designing benefits that support both workforce resilience and long-term business success. Read more from JUST Capital.

Cultural Highlights

Celebrate diverse voices and cultural contributions in art, literature, music, and media and be a multicultural smarty pants. 😊

Santa Fe Indian Market Fuses Tradition and Modern Creativity

The 2024 Santa Fe Indian Market showcased the finest in Indigenous art, fashion, and cultural expression. Highlights included a stunning bow and arrow set honoring the Pueblo Revolt, a Ralph Lauren fashion line by Navajo designer Naiomi Glasses, and a star-studded fashion show featuring Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas. The event blended tradition with contemporary style, celebrating the resilience, innovation, and cultural pride of Indigenous communities.

Read more from Sandra Hale Schulman at ICT News.

The Culture Roundup

• NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival Celebrates of Latine Creativity and Diversity: The NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival returns for its 10th annual event in Palm Springs, CA, with a lineup that champions diverse voices in film and music. Over 59% of the featured projects are directed by women, with strong representation from LGBTQ+, Afro-Latine, Indigenous, and disabled creatives. Highlights include Ponyboi, a neo-noir film about an intersex sex worker, and the reggaeton documentary En La Caliente. The event blends screenings with insightful panels hosted by Latine industry leaders like Leslie Grace and Anthony Ramos, offering a rich intersection of culture, identity, and artistic expression. Read more from Lucas Villa at Remezcla.

• The Straight Woman Who Revolutionized Queer Allyship in NYC: Susanne Bartsch, the legendary New York City party queen, is more than just a fashion icon—she’s a key figure in the rise of LGBTQ+ culture over the past four decades. Known for her extravagant parties and commitment to creating safe spaces, Bartsch helped launch the careers of queer icons like RuPaul and Amanda Lepore. Her events, like the groundbreaking Love Ball that raised $400,000 for AIDS relief, brought the ballroom community into the mainstream. Bartsch’s legacy continues as she plans new events and exhibitions that spotlight rising talent while supporting LGBTQ+ causes. Her fearless self-expression and dedication to the community have made her a true mother of the queer movement. Read more from Daniel Reynolds at Out.

Wait, did they just say that?

Microaggressions, or just plain aggression. This section is for all the times you’ve wondered if your work colleague, your fellow student, or your boss…really just said that. Write-in to us at [email protected] and we might anonymously share your story in the newsletter.

27 Years of Perfect Work Attendance Got Kevin Exactly 1 Movie Ticket

Kevin Ford has turned the American system of worker exploitation into a triumph. After going viral for receiving a pitiful gift bag for 27 years of perfect attendance at Burger King—a bag that included items like pens, candy, and a single movie ticket—Ford has flipped the script. Thanks to a community-driven GoFundMe campaign that raised over $460,000, Ford is now launching a food truck business with his daughter. This story highlights not only the absurdity of corporate appreciation but also the resilience of workers who are often undervalued. Worker exploitation is the norm in America, and this incident underscores the need for systemic change rooted in public policy and worker rights.

Read more from Angela Johnson at The Root.