Current:Home > StocksCivil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs -WealthMindset Learning
Civil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs
View
Date:2025-04-17 02:04:57
NEW YORK (AP) — A broad group of civil rights organizations called on the CEOs and board members of major companies Thursday to maintain their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that have come under attack online and in lawsuits.
An open letter signed by 19 organizations and directed at the leaders of Fortune 1000 companies said companies that abandon their DEI programs are shirking their fiduciary responsibility to employees, consumers and shareholders.
The civil rights groups included the NAACP, the National Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies, and practices make business-sense and they’re broadly popular among the public, consumers, and employees,” their statement read. “But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists is attempting to pressure companies into abandoning their DEI programs.”
Companies such as Ford, Lowes, John Deere, Molson Coors and Harley-Davidson recently announced they would pull back on their diversity, equity and inclusion policies after facing pressure from conservative activists who were emboldened by recent victories in the courtroom.
Many major corporations have been examining their diversity programs in the wake of a Supreme Court decision last year that declared race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions unconstitutional. Dozens of cases have been filed making similar arguments about employers. Critics of DEI programs say the initiatives provide benefits to people of one race or sexual orientation while excluding others.
In their letter, the civil rights organizations, which also included UnidosUS, the Urban League, Advocates for Trans Equality, the National Women’s Law Center and the American Association of People with Disabilities, said divesting from DEI would alienate a wide range of consumers.
veryGood! (621)
Related
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Ryan Seacrest's Girlfriend Aubrey Paige Proves She's His No. 1 Fan With Oscars Shout-Out
- A cyberattack paralyzed every gas station in Iran
- T. rex skeleton dubbed Trinity sold for $5.3M at Zurich auction
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- 'Concerned Citizen' At Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes' Trial Turns Out To Be Family
- Mary Quant, miniskirt pioneer and queen of Swinging '60s, dies at age 93
- The U.N. Warns That AI Can Pose A Threat To Human Rights
- Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
- Prosecutors Call Theranos Ex-CEO Elizabeth Holmes A Liar And A Cheat As Trial Opens
Ranking
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Before Dying, An Unvaccinated TikTok User Begged Others Not to Repeat Her Mistake
- Transcript: Sen. Mark Kelly on Face the Nation, April 16, 2023
- Emily Ratajkowski's See-Through Oscar Night Dress Is Her Riskiest Look Yet
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- The Little Mermaid Trailer: Melissa McCarthy Transforms into Ursula Alongside Halle Bailey’s Ariel
- 'Concerned Citizen' At Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes' Trial Turns Out To Be Family
- Bus with musicians crashes in western India, killing 13 and injuring 29 others
Recommendation
Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
A Judge Rules Apple Must Make It Easier To Shop Outside The App Store
Meet Parag Agrawal, Twitter's new CEO
U.S. ambassador visits Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russian prison
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Emily Ratajkowski's See-Through Oscar Night Dress Is Her Riskiest Look Yet
All Of You Will Love John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s 2023 Oscars Night Out
Bus with musicians crashes in western India, killing 13 and injuring 29 others