By April Ryan
(NNPA Newswire) – “He is sanctioning…employment discrimination,” says Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League.
Credit: Photo By Jacob Wackerhausen
Morial made these statements on the Black Press USA show “Make it Plain,” referencing the cancellation of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies through a new executive order signed in the first days of this new Trump administration. The Trump EO focuses on the word “merit” as the new hiring protocol. The definition of merit the administration is adhering to is people selected based on their ability.
Morial also pointed out the companies that have followed the White House’s lead. The civil and equality rights activist said he has talked to McDonald’s executives who recently dropped their DEI efforts, as well as Walmart, and he stepped off an unofficial board of Facebook as they moved to end DEI without consulting with that board.
For the companies and federal agencies embracing the executive order Morial said, “We have to judge you on your results.”
According to the Urban League, the current American workforce of those under the age of 40 is made up of more women than men. Also, the workforce under the age of 40 is half White and the other half is made up of non-White workers.
“When you start excluding people from these businesses, who will do the work?” questioned the head of the rights group.
The National Urban League this week led a roundtable discussion with other heads of civil rights groups and leaders from other racially diverse communities on the challenge of DEI in governmental departments and private sector businesses. The leaders, particularly Morial, said they were not surprised by the cancellation of DEI in the public and private sectors as “Project 2025 telegraphed all these things would happen.”
Morial has talked to companies who have publicly said they are walking away from DEI. “Some are trying to have it both ways… as some have stepped away completely.”
When asked if the coalition of leaders would meet with President Trump, Morial emphasized substance over a photo op saying, “We are not opposed to a meeting with the president, but it has got to be real.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to Black buying power, Morial told Black Press USA Feb. 6 that the Black buying power in this nation is close to “$2 trillion” and combined with other minority groups it is $5 trillion.” The Urban League also tallied the most purchased item by Black consumers in this country–grits.
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