“In terms of supporting companies that are pulling out of DEI, absolutely not. There is not really a need to support them. I support my own community, and that is supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. I pulled away from a lot of these companies prior to this conversation. If you support local, you don’t have to worry about these policies.”
“I think that the companies that are getting rid of DEI, I would question their commitment to the work in the first place. I understand that the government has made their determination to pull funding. The point is, if we are committed to the work, then we should be committed to the work. So, I think those companies should find a way to continue to do the work. However, me personally, I’m not so sure that I would continue to support them. Because if it is that easy for them to just stop, then I’m wondering what they were doing in the first place. Was it just to check the box or what?”
“It is sad to hear about the recent companies that are getting rid of DEI. It makes it hard when it is companies that provide so much for consumers, but why support a company that doesn’t support me? I think that pulling back from companies that are getting rid of DEI could impact them more than it would impact us.”
“How I look at companies that are divesting in DEI is that I think people put their money where their mouth is. I believe that people’s values and morals align with the policies they support. So, companies that are no longer supporting DEI—as an HR consultant and someone who works in human resources—I strongly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I am not frequenting those companies. I’m finding companies that align with my values and my beliefs and support us in the interest of diversity because, without diversity, there is a lot less growth, and everyone doesn’t have a seat at the table or a voice. So, I am definitely not supporting those companies.”
“The hard part about most of those big companies divesting in DEI programs is they are companies of convenience. They are large chain corporations, they are around, they are easy, they are well known, so really, it’s about—I probably wouldn’t intentionally support those businesses if I had the choice. So, no, I would not purposefully go in and support them.”
“Thriving as a Black business owner has never been easy, and today it is under more attack than ever, especially with these divestments. So, the impact of executive orders and DEI initiatives—right now, we are witnessing a direct assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion. For me, no, I will not continue to invest in these businesses, and I pride myself on having Black-owned barbecue sauce in my refrigerator, Black-owned cosmetic lines—all of that—and really being able to invest in and amplify the work of our Black-owned businesses.”
Source: Seattle Medium
