The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), a group of African American lawmakers, is fighting back against a rising wave of anti-DEI sentiment which has caused some high-profile corporations to walk back commitments to DEI initiatives made during 2020 in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
To this end, the CBC just released a report to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their commitments and revealed they have been urging companies through CEO and C-Suite meetings to advance DEI in practices and business operations.
New Report
In what the CBC is describing as the “first-of-its-kind,” this new report was the culmination of months of work to collectively track and push DEI programs to try to hold corporations publically accountable.
“This first-of-its-kind report to hold Fortune 500 companies — across all sectors — accountable to their commitments to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well as their pledges to racial equity investments following the death of George Floyd in 2020, is the initial step in a strategic effort to ensure the tools of opportunity are protected as we work to advance the work, wages, wealth and economic opportunity agenda,” said the report.
Meeting With CEOs
The CBC revealed that they have been working with “hundreds” of C-suite executives to convince them to maintain DEI commitments.
“Over the past many months, the CBC has conducted meetings with more than 50 CEOs and hundreds of company C-suite executives and representatives. I commend corporate leaders who have overwhelmingly reaffirmed not only their company’s commitment to advancing DEI in their business practices and operations but also that diversity is a business and talent imperative,” said an introductory letter by US Rep. Steven Horsford.
Racial Wealth Gap
DEI is framed as an important measure by the CBC in fighting economic wealth inequality in the country.
“Today in America, the racial wealth gap is six times greater for the average white family than the average Black family,” the report said.
Join Us
The letter from Horsford concludes with a call to action, urging other Fortune 500 companies to partner with the CBC to advance their DEI agenda.
“I want to invite every Fortune 500 company, as well as public hospitals and universities, to join the CBC and our efforts to advance what good looks like, to continue to narrow and eventually close the racial wealth gap in America and achieve economic opportunity that advances the interests of all Americans,” wrote Horsford.
What’s in the Report?
The report, titled the “CBC 2024 Corporate Accountability Report,” seeks to gain information from corporations via surveys to ensure they are following a proper path to implementing DEI.
Using this survey data, the CBC can get a lay of the landscape in regard to progress on societal inequality. According to the report, 189 organizations gave information requested by the CBC.
Best Practices
This report also highlights 12 “best practices” that it wants companies to emulate in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
These best practices are focused on improving things like board diversity, internal hire rates, retention rates, data disaggregation, and leadership diversity and accountability.
Challenges
The surveys revealed what the CDC saw as “persistent challenges,” which included things like “underrepresentation of certain groups in leadership positions and disparities in retention and advancement rates.”
“Addressing these challenges will require ongoing collaboration and innovation from corporate leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders,” the report said.
Anti-DEI Wave
In recent months, high-pressure campaigns from conservative and “anti-woke” activists have resulted in a string of companies announcing they would be walking back some of their DEI programs.
“So far you’ve helped me change corporate policy at Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley Davidson, Polaris, Indian Motorcycle, Lowe’s, Ford and now Coors. We are a force to be reckoned with and we won’t stop until wokeness is extinct,” said anti-woke activist Robby Starbuck to his followers in a September 3 X post that got over 1 million views.
Why Are Activists Against DEI?
Opponents of DEI accuse the program of being discriminatory despite what its intentions purport to be.
“The Left tells us DEI stands for ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.’ But as practiced, it more closely represents ‘Discrimination, Exclusion, and Indoctrination,’” wrote Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in an X post.
Responding to Attacks
On X, US Representative and Black Caucus member Glenn Ivey slammed right-wing critics of DEI and threw his support behind the new report.
“Today, @TheBlackCaucus released its Corporate Accountability Report… Despite right wing attacks, most Americans believe diversity, equity and inclusion in corporate America is a good thing. We as @TheBlackCaucus are fighting to protect access to economic opportunity,” wrote Ivey in a September 9 X post.
Pressuring Corporations
Other members of the Black Caucus took to social media to urge corporations to make good on the promises they made despite pressure from conservative activists.
“It’s time for corporations to start putting their money where their mouth is. Today, @TheBlackCaucus released a corporate accountability report to encourage more Fortune 500 companies to stand firm in their commitments,” said a September 9 X post from CBC member André Carson.
