More than 60 Oregon cities have diversity, equity and inclusion programs. But as the City of Bend recently saw, a national political movement to end these programs can energize hatred toward local leaders.

Almost every leader will at some point in their tenure be accused of DEI-related harm

This movement—also known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI—acknowledges and supports the unique attributes of individuals and groups.

the more diverse your audience, the more you have to adjust the way you present

The number of people with autism entering the workforce in the next 10 years and beyond is on the rise

USDA is also standing up an Equity Commission to advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities.

Nearly 60% of Latinos surveyed say having a lighter skin color helps Hispanics get ahead in work and in life, and about half say discrimination based on race or skin color is a “very big problem,” a Pew report shows.

Dr. Karen Johnson was appointed to lead Washington State’s newly created Office of Equity this February, which is tasked with increasing access and equity, and reducing disparities in state government.

The Washington Department of Agriculture says it will need nearly $1 million every two years to carry out environmental justice legislation passed last spring by Democrats. The new law will require the department and six other state agencies to assess how rules, legislation and spending will help or harm "overburdened communities" and "vulnerable populations."

Today the often-heard expression, “Diversity, equity and inclusion,” seems to have achieved the status of a ubiquitous workplace mantra. This phrase is being used as a well-meaning guide for business and government leaders to advance organizational and even societal transformation. However, such efforts at systemic reform are doomed to fall short if they inadvertently sow the seeds of division and discord among people rather than engage them in authentic dialogue and collaborative action.

Many Washington state educators feel the hot-button term is being unduly conflated with teaching anything about race and racism.

While diversifying staff and leadership is critical, it doesn’t always ensure racial equity. Even when an organization is filled with well-intentioned people, racism often persists because our systems, policies, and practices continue to be racially inequitable. We need to move beyond our usual JDEI frame of thinking to truly transform our organizations to become more racially equitable.

We found that one particular culture style differentiated the diverse and inclusive organizations from those that were not: a learning-oriented culture. Developing the right culture can be a slow and difficult process. Although achieving a shift toward a learning culture will take longer than setting diversity targets and paying out bonuses, we believe organizations that are able to pull it off will be the ones to build equitable, diverse, and inclusive organizations for the long-run.