Introduction: What’s Happening to DEI and Why It Matters to Us
In 2020, the letters D-E-I (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) were everywhere. Companies rushed to hire DEI officers, agencies hosted workshops and social workers of color were finally being heard…or so it seemed.
Fast-forward to now: DEI programs are being dismantled across government, higher education, healthcare and corporate sectors. In several U.S. states, DEI roles have been defunded or outright banned. In workplaces, the silence is growing louder. And for Black social workers, it’s a shift that feels both personal and professional.
So, is DEI dead? Or is it evolving into something deeper, less performative and more community-driven?
Let’s explore what this moment means for us, what systems are shifting and how we can continue to lead.
Where DEI Is Being Cut and Who’s Keeping It Alive
Where DEI Is Under Attack:
Several states (including Florida, Texas and others) have banned DEI programs in public institutions. Corporations such as Target, Amazon, Meta and Starbucks have quietly rolled back DEI initiatives, cutting roles and resources under the radar.
The result?
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DEI professionals (many of them Black women) are being laid off
- Anti-racism trainings are being replaced with generic “wellness” programs
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Staff are being told to avoid “political” conversations in the workplace
- Social workers are seeing fewer culturally responsive trainings and supports
Where DEI Is Still Growing:
Fortunately, not everyone is backing down.
Organizations like:
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Etsy
- Netflix
- Planned Parenthood
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The American Public Health Association (APHA)
…are still investing in racial equity, inclusive policy reform and culturally grounded training.
These companies and nonprofits are proving that DEI isn’t dead—it’s just evolving into something more intentional.
What This Means for Black Social Workers
We’ve always been at the intersection of justice, care and identity—long before DEI became a corporate buzzword. But now, in this political climate, we need to be clear about what’s being asked of us and what we will no longer carry alone.
💼 Key Challenges We’re Facing:
- Being expected to “represent” all Black or BIPOC voices in agency meetings
- Being tapped for unpaid DEI work (like trainings, affinity groups, mentoring)
- Watching necessary programs for clients of color get deprioritized
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Feeling silenced or gaslit in spaces where anti-racism used to be openly discussed
How Social Workers Can Keep DEI Alive in Our Practice
Even if your agency is scaling back, you don’t have to shrink your values. Here’s how to keep showing up with intention:
1. Use Embedded DEI Practices—Not Just Programs
Instead of relying on top-down mandates, integrate equity into your everyday work:
- Audit your client intake forms for inclusive language
- Make space for clients’ spiritual, cultural and racial identities in sessions
- Advocate for equitable distribution of caseloads and supervision
2. Protect Your Energy Around Unpaid Labor
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Use boundary scripts like:
“I’m happy to support this initiative—but I’d like to clarify the scope and whether this is considered billable time.”
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Ask leadership:
“What structural supports are being put in place for staff leading equity work?”
3. Build Community Outside the System
If your workplace isn’t safe, create safety outside of it:
- Join or form peer support groups for social workers of color
- Attend conferences and webinars by Black-led orgs, like NABSW or Clinicians of Color
- Support Caribbean American– and Black-owned wellness brands and educators
4. Stay Updated on DEI Policy & Legislation
- Follow groups like Race Forward and The ACLU
- Keep up with local legislation that impacts DEI in schools, agencies and healthcare
- Vote and advocate on issues that impact equity in your community
Support Businesses That Support You
It’s not just about calling out what’s being lost. It’s also about intentionally uplifting those who are still doing the work.
✨ Consider shopping with:
- Black-owned wellness and publishing brands
- Social work-led coaching and CEU providers
- Podcasts, blogs and organizations that reflect your lived experience (👑 like Queens of Social Work)
Want to Hear More About Holding Boundaries & Pushing Back on Burnout?
If you’ve ever been the “only one” in the room…
If you’ve ever been praised for your strength while privately unraveling…
If you’ve ever been expected to fix systems you didn’t break…
Then you need to listen to our podcast episode:
🎙 Breaking the Cycle of Social Work Burnout
We get into what it really means to protect your peace and do the work without being consumed by it.
Ready to Equip Yourself with Tools That Reflect Who You Are?
Explore our journals, guides and resources made by Black social workers, for Black social workers.