Community leaders gathered in Battle Creek Thursday to discuss ways to protect Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, which have been a major target of the Trump Administration.
President Donald Trump has sought to end those programs in many public institutions since re-taking office in January.
"The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military," President Donald Trump wrote in an executive order on his first day back.
Some institutions, even private ones not under the government's control, have since ended their DEI programs. But other organizations say: not so fast.
Van McMullan is a consultant who works with Bronson Healthcare on its DEI initiatives.
He said Bronson is committed to protecting these initiatives, though it will now call them “Engagement and Community Partnerships.”
"We have to pivot. We have to comply. And we do have to comply, all organizations have to comply. But for us, we can do that and uphold our integrity,' he said.
During the panel discussion, McMullan urged attendees not to “obey in advance” by shuttering their DEI projects.
"A lot of organizations are banning them. They already have DEI. And, frankly, some of the people who have cut DEI, they weren't serious about it in the first place."
McMullan admitted that organizations dependent on federal grants may not have the privilege of keeping diversity programs.
But he encouraged organizations to resist to the extent that they are able.
“The point right now is resilience. 'Cause that's all we have right now. And the point is doing things like this, bringing us together, so there's hope because you have to have hope.”
Panelist Chris Sargent is the CEO of the United Way of South Central Michigan.
He said he hopes the panel gave attendees a better idea of the importance of DEI.
"Let's make sure that we aren't letting others define the narrative of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Let's make sure we're taking time to understand it ourselves," he said.
Sargent also acknowledged the fear from some attendees of what the federal pushback against DEI could mean for the communities it aims to help.
"I'm really worried about what this means not just in the short-term but long-term. And so I think it's important to educate ourselves about what these changes can really mean," Sargent said.
"I think it's important to acknowledge that we have communities that are in fear for their own lives and their families' lives so that, at the end of the day as humans and Americans, we can say this is not who we are."
Another panelist was Clare Tanner, with the Arc of Calhoun County, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
She said organizations need to come together to fight anti-DEI pushback.
“I think it's by building coalitions, by talking to each other, by building partnership, by being willing to be allies, and I'll be there for you and you be here for us.”
The event was organized by the Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation.
Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
