Attacks continue to undermine DEI programs

Immediately after the Supreme Court’s decisions in SFFA v. Harvard/UNC eliminating the use of race in higher education admissions, questions were raised about corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Edward Blum—founder of the organization Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) that won the Harvard/UNC decision—and former Trump administration staffer Stephen Miller have aggressively challenged corporate DEI programs after the Supreme Court’s decision. Recently, “influencer” Robby Starbuck has used his social media presence to force corporations with conservative consumers to limit or eliminate their DEI programs.

Starbuck forces corporate DEI changes

Starbuck is a right-wing commentator with over half a million followers on X. He has launched social media campaigns against what he defines as “woke corporations” and their DEI programs. In response to his social media campaign, major corporations that responded to George Floyd’s death with increased DEI focus have abandoned much of their programs including supporting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Index on LGBTQ+ policies and practices.