DEI is at an inflection point
Social change often comes in bursts. Two steps forward, one step back, as the old adage goes.
DEI is social change—change that, sadly, takes time. For those growing impatient with the increasing polarization and political misrepresentation of DEI, 2024 will be more of the same. The U.S. presidential election is likely to further polarize and politicize DEI much as it did in 2020.
Dr. Martin Luther King famously said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of DEI. It will happen. It needs to happen. Yet, change takes time.
A Look Back
Remember the summer of 2020? For DEI practitioners, it was like whiplash. Diversity work had plummeted during the pandemic but swiftly resurfaced following the murder of George Floyd. Statements of solidarity and financial donations soared. Yet it was a moment, not a movement.
As we end 2023, DEI is at an inflection point. There is a mixed bag of evidence showing continued slow support of DEI:
- Job postings for DEI are down.
- Most employees perceive DEI as positive, yet there is a significant political divide.
- DEI investment is steady and projected to double by 2026.
- Investors and legislation are continuing to pressure organizations to prioritize DEI.
- Younger employees see DEI as non-negotiable.
There are some silver linings for 2024.….
Read the rest of this article by Julie Kratz on Forbes.com
At Next Pivot Point we have lots of resources to help you facilitate successful diversity and inclusion initiatives. Schedule some time with our team today to discuss where to start or how to do better. You can also check out:
- Our available workshop topics for developing inclusive leaders.
- Our Train the Trainer programs for scalability within your organization
- Our Right-Sized DEI micro-content packages for consistent small-drip content throughout the year.