How the Trump Administration's DEI Reductions Affect Black Women in Federal Jobs

A notable reduction in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives during the Trump administration has profoundly affected Black women, as disclosed by an extensive investigation by ProPublica. The nonprofit newsroom revealed that sweeping executive orders designed to dismantle DEI efforts have adversely influenced the careers of numerous experienced civil servants, despite their positions having no direct connection to diversity programs. ProPublica spotlights the stories of various Black women encountering administrative leave or termination due to the reintroduction of Trump’s DEI policies in his second term. For instance, Quay Crowner, who enjoyed a notable 20-year tenure in human resources, was dismissed from the Department of Education, her DEI responsibilities limited to overseeing student financial aid. The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern among her peers—most were Black women who had previously benefitted from diversity training instituted by Betsy DeVos. This situation has led to a class-action lawsuit alleging violations of First Amendment rights and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, where 90% of those affected are women or nonbinary individuals, primarily people of color.