New Motivation from SCOTUS

The Supreme Court says colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis for granting admission. As you probably could've guessed, legacy admissions remain untouched. 😒

This is only the most recent episode in a disturbing trend. In May, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs.

I worry that this will have rippling effects well beyond colleges.

To that point, at some larger companies, employees have indicated that among recent company changes is the dissolution of its Employee Resource Groups dedicated to populations like Women, Black, and LGBTQ+ employees.

I speak from experience when I say that these groups are critical. During my time at companies like General Motors, McKinsey, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Google, ERGs have been immeasurably valuable as I learned how to navigate and achieve some level of success on teams where nobody looked like me (in over a decade, I’ve had one Black manager and maybe four Black team members). 

I fear that these actions will serve as an invitation for other companies to take similar actions under the guise of “difficult cost-cutting measures”.

In the face of these disheartening trends, the importance of supporter networks for black and brown professionals cannot be overstated. As institutions and companies make decisions that undermine diversity and inclusion efforts, it becomes crucial for individuals to seek out their own sources of support and mentorship including like-minded individuals who understand our unique challenges and aspirations.

As we once again find ourselves facing the headwinds of adversity, let us remember that our resilience lies in our ability to come together, uplift one another, and create our own pathways to success.

By fostering community, we empower ourselves and each other to overcome obstacles, break barriers, and redefine what is possible.