Agency Leadership Stagnation Exposed Through 13 Pledge Inquiry: Low Black Leadership Ranks in Agencies Revealed
** Hey Buddy!**
It's been about a year since 71 US agencies made a bold pledge to boost Black leadership to mirroring the Black population (approx. 13%) within their ranks by 2023. After a year of talks and work, only 22 agencies are still on board with this commitment, according to the activist group Three's a Crowd. This initiative isn't intended to replace existing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts but rather to complement them. The commitment requires buy-in from key stakeholders such as the CEO, not just the head of DEI.
Fast-forward to the present, and the progress of these 22 agencies has hit a snag. After a promising jump in Black leadership levels from 2020 to 2021, collective progress has stalled at around 6.5%.
Now, let's toss in some context to paint a broader picture. In the political landscape, the Trump administration has been cracking down on DEI efforts, including a presidential action aiming to eliminate all such positions and offices by 2025. Though this action is currently tied up in legal battles. Critics argue that these moves could hinder progress in racial equality, especially for Black communities who might also face economic insecurity as a result.
Meanwhile, there's been some support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with an initiative to help strengthen their financial management. However, this comes amidst a broader push to undo previous racial equality policies. But when it comes to the specific pledge to increase Black leadership in US agencies, details are scant. Private sector initiatives have shown mixed responses, with Walmart, for instance, initially pledging significant resources to DEI, only to scale back later[4]. Keep an eye on this one, folks! 🔍📈
In the current political climate, it's crucial for the CEOs of these 22 agencies, who are key stakeholders in the commitment to boost Black leadership, to address the stalled progress in their diversity and inclusion efforts amidst the Trump administration's crackdown on such policies. This need for leadership is not limited to financial management but extends to all aspects of business and finance.
