DEI at a Crossroads: Navigating Challenges and Shifts in 2024 and Beyond

Recently, DEI initiatives have faced significant challenges in boardrooms, state legislatures, and college campuses. Since 2023, 81 anti-DEI bills targeting college programs have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, with eight signed into law in states like Texas and Florida.

Despite these challenges, a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52% of employed U.S. adults participate in DEI trainings or meetings at work, and 33% have a designated staff member promoting DEI. However, the landscape is shifting, with some companies slashing DEI teams and prominent corporate leaders like Bill Ackman and Elon Musk publicly criticizing diversity programs.

In this episode of HR Fresh Take, we’ll talk with Tanya Ladipo, Founder and CEO of the Ladipo Group.  We’ll highlight the concerns and challenges arising from the shifting landscape that is significantly impacting DEI efforts.
We’ll also examine why ending DEI initiatives is often a reactionary move driven by fear-based decisions and why it’s essential to stay the course.

Joining in the discussion are Theresa Velykis, Director of Human Resources at Mastery Charter Schools and Past President of Philly SHRM, and Ragine Williams, Leader of DEI Reporting, Recruiting and Outreach at SEI, and VP of DEI for Philly SHRM.

More about Tanya...

Tonya Ladipo, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is 
the founder and CEO of The Ladipo Group. She has 25+ years of experience partnering with mission driven organizations to enhance emotional 
intelligence and create psychologically safe workplaces where everyone can thrive. Her philosophy, Knowledge is Good, Behavior is Better, underscores her approach to creating lasting behavior change for individuals and organizations.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, phillyshrm.org