Trump DEI roll backs: Detroit organization helps amplify minority owned businesses

It is being called a more "merit-based approach" by the new Trump administration as the President signed an executive order to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs implemented to improve progress for minorities in the workforce.

The backstory:

In his first week, President Donald Trump signed the order as a repeal at the federal level. These actions are already leading to companies like Target rolling back their diversity initiatives.

Big picture view:

Meanwhile, in Metro Detroit, people like Charity Dean, the President and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA), are working to amplify minority-owned businesses. So far, they advocate for 2,000 businesses across Michigan.

"There are some folks who have told us, ‘we’re not changing," said Dean. "We’re going to double down.’ So, right now, I really think is the time for courage. I think it’s time for elected officials. It’s a time of courage for corporations."

The MBBA worked with Detroit to help include more Black-owned businesses during high-profile events like the 2024 NFL Draft. She says as some DEI programs are removed, the MBBA will continue to stay hard at work to advocate for those without a voice.

"There is a wealth gap in our country whether we acknowledge it or not, and it is a racial wealth gap," she said. "Black families and white families—the white families are going to have nine times the wealth of a Black family with the same education and the same income."

It was 2020 when George Floyd was killed by then police officer Derek Chauvin. This led to the door opening for DEI programs across the country.

In the years since, surveys have shown slightly fewer people think it’s beneficial.

What's next:

Companies have removed them, but the MBBA is working to make sure the progress made over the past four years is not undone.

"That moment was important for our country and organizations to do a reckoning, and that moment hasn’t moved," Dean said. "It hasn’t changed. Just because other folks have decided they don’t want to focus on it, the moment is still here. So I think the question is when you did it then, did you mean it? If you meant it, then why now?"

The Source: FOX 2 talked with the MBBA and used information from previous stories.

DetroitDonald J. TrumpPolitics