DEI is Dead… But Will ‘Digital Equity’ Programs Shutter?

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2024 – One of the biggest losers on Election Day was “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” the moniker for a movement that appeared to suffer a fatal blow with voters’ support for President-elect Donald Trump.

Diversity programs date to the rise of affirmative action decades ago, and have at times enjoyed broad political support. But the “DEI” label, which grew rapidly after the murder of George Floyd in June 2020, became tightly linked with the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

In fact, the first executive order Biden signed on January 20, 2021, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” directed the federal government to account for racial inequities in implementing federal policies.

‘Digital equity’ wasn’t born yesterday – and may predate ‘DEI’

Broadband policies have certainly been impacted by that executive order and by the emphasis – not entirely recent – on the words “equity” and “inclusion.”