How Do We Move Forward in a World Where DEI Is Under Attack

For years, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been heralded as critical pathways toward creating equitable workplaces and societies. But now, as DEI faces significant pushback—with legislation banning race-conscious policies, corporate DEI budgets shrinking, and an increase in rhetoric dismissing its value—many people of color are left asking: Where do we go from here?

The dismantling of DEI does not signal the end of our progress, but it does necessitate a shift in strategy. Moving forward in a DEI-less world requires resilience, intentionality, and a commitment to building alternative structures that support equity. Here’s how we can navigate these challenges and continue advancing our communities.

1. Prioritize Building and Sustaining Community

When institutional support wanes, community becomes even more essential. Historically, marginalized communities have leaned on one another during periods of systemic oppression—from mutual aid societies during Reconstruction to the rise of Black-owned businesses during segregation.

Action Steps:

• Seek out grassroots networks: Employee resource groups (ERGs), affinity groups, and professional organizations still exist, even if formal funding is cut. Use these spaces to exchange resources, provide mentorship, and advocate collectively.
• Create your own spaces: If these networks don’t exist, build them. Informal gatherings or online communities can be just as impactful.
• Strengthen intergenerational ties: Connect with older generations who’ve navigated similar challenges. Their strategies and stories of resilience are invaluable.

2. Master the Art of Self-Advocacy

Without the structural support of DEI programs, self-advocacy becomes critical. Whether it’s negotiating a raise, standing up to microaggressions, or ensuring your contributions are recognized, advocating for yourself is a skill that cannot be overlooked.

Action Steps:

• Document your achievements: Keep a record of your successes and contributions. Quantifiable data about your impact strengthens your case during evaluations or promotions.
• Learn negotiation skills: From salary discussions to workload boundaries, practice framing your needs in ways that align with organizational goals.
• Strategize your challenges: Speak up when inequities arise, but do so strategically. Align your concerns with organizational values to increase receptivity.

3. Protect Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being

The absence of DEI initiatives often means people of color must navigate additional burdens in workplaces that may already lack inclusivity. This can lead to burnout, imposter syndrome, or feelings of isolation. Prioritizing mental health is not optional; it’s necessary.

Action Steps:

• Seek culturally competent therapy: Therapists who understand the unique challenges of navigating systemic racism can provide tailored support.
• Engage in restorative practices: Whether it’s meditation, journaling, or connecting with nature, find what rejuvenates you and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
• Lean into joy: Celebrate your wins, indulge in hobbies, and surround yourself with people who uplift you.

4. Build Economic Power

Economic independence has always been a cornerstone of resilience for marginalized communities. When institutional pathways falter, building personal and collective financial security can open doors and create opportunities outside traditional systems.

Action Steps:

• Invest in financial literacy: Understand investments, savings, and wealth-building strategies to secure your future.
• Support businesses owned by people of color: Redirecting dollars into your community strengthens economic ecosystems.
• Explore entrepreneurship: Starting your own business or side hustle can provide freedom from workplaces that don’t value you.

5. Stay Politically and Socially Engaged

The rollback of DEI initiatives is often tied to larger efforts to suppress civil rights and equity. Staying informed and engaged ensures that your voice is part of the larger fight for justice.

Action Steps:

• Support equity-focused organizations: From voting rights groups to advocacy organizations, lend your time, money, or voice.
• Engage in local politics: Policies impacting DEI are often decided at the state and local levels. Attend town halls, vote in local elections, and hold representatives accountable.
• Leverage your network: Collective action amplifies impact. Rally your community around shared goals.

6. Redefine Success and Create Your Own Path

Without DEI frameworks, the traditional definitions of success may no longer serve people of color. This moment calls for reimagining what success looks like on our own terms—centered on purpose, fulfillment, and alignment with our values.

Action Steps:

• Regularly reassess your goals: Check in with yourself about what truly matters. Are you chasing accolades or building a legacy?
• Consider unconventional pathways: Entrepreneurship, freelancing, or working for mission-driven organizations may provide opportunities traditional careers cannot.
• Set boundaries: Protect your energy and say no to environments that do not align with your values.

7. Amplify the Work That Remains

While DEI initiatives may be under attack, the principles behind them—justice, representation, and equity—are still worth fighting for. Amplifying these values in your personal and professional life ensures they remain part of the cultural conversation.

Action Steps:

• Share stories: Highlight the achievements of people of color in your industry or community.
• Use your platform: Whether it’s social media, blogs, or public speaking, keep equity at the forefront of your messaging.
• Mentor others: Pay forward the knowledge and opportunities you’ve gained to help the next generation thrive.

8. Recognize the Flaws in DEI’s Original Intentions

It’s worth acknowledging that many DEI programs were not designed with true purpose or structural change in mind. For some companies, these initiatives were performative—a checkbox exercise rather than a commitment to equity. As DEI budgets shrink, it becomes evident that these efforts were often undervalued and expendable.

Reflection: The dismantling of ineffective DEI programs can provide an opportunity to rebuild more intentional frameworks. Moving forward, equity must be embedded into the fabric of organizational culture rather than existing as a siloed program that’s easy to cut.

Action Steps:

• Advocate for authenticity: Push for initiatives that address systemic inequities rather than surface-level representation.
• Focus on accountability: Ensure leaders are measured on their commitment to equity, not just financial outcomes.
• Reimagine solutions: Shift the focus from DEI as a corporate trend to equity as a shared responsibility.

9. Draw Strength from History

This is not the first time equity has been under attack, and it likely won’t be the last. But history shows us that resilience is woven into the fabric of marginalized communities. From the Harlem Renaissance to the civil rights movement, progress has often been born from moments of adversity.

Reflection: Let the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. guide you: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Remember that our communities have always found ways to thrive, even in the face of systemic opposition.

Moving Forward

The current climate may feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to recalibrate, innovate, and build structures that truly serve our communities. By prioritizing community, advocating for ourselves, protecting our well-being, and staying engaged, we can continue to push forward—even in a DEI-less world.

This is not the end of the story. It’s a call to action. The fight for equity is far from over, and the work continues with each of us.