The recent layoffs impacting DEI staff and therefore initiatives at Google, Meta, Zoom, others, prompt us to consider what this means for those who remain and are committed to change.
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At StrivEquity Consulting LLC, we focus on guiding leaders, especially who identify as Black, Brown, and leaders of color, to navigate and influence these evolving corporate landscapes.
While the shift in these companies DEI approach can be internally classified as just another corporate cost saving decision, it does lead to some questions:
– If they are moving from full-time staff doing DEI work, to consultants doing DEI work, what did the internal support for DEI-focused staff look like?
– What power did these DEI leaders have?
– Was there a shift to equity-in-all-policies or was DEI work siloed?
– Were leaders brought in as experienced trainers, yet also expected to operationalize equity throughout the institutions?
– Was it understandably not sustainable to lead this work while being directly impacted by the institutional culture, and while reporting to leadership who held all of the decision making power?
– Was a clear mandate allowed, and how was the effectiveness of these roles measured?
These layoffs, also influenced by the recent Supreme Court’s decision, can not only be seen as a way for companies to distance themselves from internal DEI work, but also signal an unseriousness about vital commitments, which erodes trust with staff and can further negatively affect company culture.
Overall, these developments raise critical questions about the future of DEI work within these organizations and the broader corporate landscape.
When we support leaders through our Equity-Responsive Leadership model, we emphasize the importance of awareness, strategic action, and the power of collective efforts in making lasting change. When these efforts are gutted, we also understand that those who remain have to make decisions that preserve their wellbeing and livelihoods.
For more on how to navigate these challenges and make an impact, consider a discovery call with StrivEquity Consulting LLC here: 📲 and check out our free e-book here which includes Insight 12 Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Expectations.
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