As diversity, equity and inclusion comes under legal attack, companies quietly alter their programs

By Alexandra Olson, Haleluya Hadero and Anne D’Innocenzio | The Associated Press Sophia Danner-Okotie poses for a portrait in her shared workspace Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ga. Danner-Okotie has ambitious plans for her Nigerian-inspired clothing line but a sense of dread has punctured her optimism as she watches a lawsuit try to take down a small venture capital firm that was instrumental to her boutique brand’s growth. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) NEW YORK (AP) — Sophia Danner-Okotie’s has ambitious plans for her Nigerian-inspired clothing line but a sense of dread has punctured her optimism as she watches a legal battle being waged against a small venture capital firm that has provided funding instrumental to her boutique brand’s growth. The case against the Fearless Fund& alleges that one of its grant programs discriminates against non-Black women and asks the courts to imagine a similar program designed only for white applicants. It is among a growing list of lawsuits against corporate diversity and inclusion programs that are making their way through the courts this year. Most have been filed by conservative activists encouraged by the& Supreme Court’s June ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions& and are now seeking to set...