Dallas and Fort Worth discontinue their diversity initiatives to secure federal support

Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, have recently ended their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, primarily to align with federal policies under the Trump administration that prohibit certain DEI programs and to preserve significant federal funding.

The Fort Worth City Council voted 7-4 to suspend their DEI initiatives, citing federal executive orders that restrict "equity-related" grants or contracts as a reason for the elimination. Immediately after this decision, the council voted to create a Small Business Development Program to help mitigate any adverse effects from removing specific economic incentives for minority and women-owned businesses. This shift aims to safeguard approximately $277 million in federal grants for priorities such as public safety, housing utilities, and city workforce support.

In a similar move, the Dallas City Council authorized City Manager Kimberly Tolbert to review and evaluate city programs to be in compliance with federal directives and pause any initiatives that do not comply with regulations. Tolbert subsequently directed all city departments to stop using policies and programs considering race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin while allocating funds or benefits.

The status of Dallas's office of equity and inclusion remains unclear, as city officials did not respond to interview requests.

The fate of diversity and equity offices in the city of San Antonio remains unclear, with city officials also failing to respond to a request for comment. Houston, San Antonio, and Austin have yet to take similar action to Dallas in ending their DEI efforts.

Austin, Texas officials believe the city is in compliance with all rules and laws regarding DEI initiatives, and T.C. Broadnax, the city manager of Austin, stated that the city's law department is evaluating all related city programs to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

This decision reflects broader federal attempts during the Trump administration to limit DEI initiatives, including executive orders requiring contractors to certify non-promotion of DEI and the termination of "equity-related" federal grants. Legal challenges have occurred, but the federal government has maintained that these measures ensure compliance with civil rights laws and align spending with presidential priorities.

The elimination of DEI programs can have significant social and community repercussions, including undoing progress toward inclusion, equity for marginalized groups, and targeted support that addresses systemic disparities. Community members and advocates often view such eliminations as setbacks to civil rights advancements and protections for diverse populations within these cities.

The impact of ending DEI efforts on federal funding can be substantial: cities risk losing federal grants if perceived to be non-compliant with federal restrictions on DEI. The Fort Worth City Manager, Jay Chapa, stated that the city would need to increase its property tax rate by about four cents per $100 to account for lost revenue due to the suspension of DEI initiatives.

In Fort Worth, all three Black council members - Mia Hall, Chris Nettles, and Deborah Peoples - voted against the elimination of the programs, along with Elizabeth Beck. The council's decision comes after Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's directive ordering cities to eliminate DEI initiatives or risk losing federal funding earlier this year.

This news serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding DEI initiatives and their role in promoting inclusivity and equity within cities. As policies continue to evolve, it is crucial to consider the potential impacts on communities and the broader society.

[1] The Dallas Morning News, "Fort Worth City Council votes to suspend diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives," 2020. [2] The Dallas Morning News, "Dallas City Council authorizes city manager to review, evaluate city programs to comply with federal directives," 2020. [3] The Washington Post, "Baltimore sues Trump administration over new rules on diversity and inclusion," 2020. [4] The Austin Chronicle, "Austin's DEI efforts under scrutiny," 2020.

Dallas and Fort Worth discontinue their diversity initiatives to secure federal support