Inclusive Culture Strategy Best Practices
On this page, you will find resources to help you understand Anti-DEI Executive Orders and what they mean for DEI work.
Some topics we cover, include:
What are the anti-DEI executive orders?
Is DEI illegal?
How can we continue to do DEI work in this political climate?
What Is DEI? Is DEI Illegal?
“What Is DEI, and Why Is It Dividing America?” CNN. January 23, 2025.
“Trump’s Claims About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Don’t Match Reality.” The Washington Post, February 7, 2025.
“Trump’s DEI Executive Orders Do Not Change Title VII.” SHRM, February 28, 2025.
“DEI and Accessibility, Explained.” ACLU, February 27, 2025.
Legal Decisions & Opinion:
Statement from 13 State Attorneys General: President Trump is Misleading the American People on Purpose of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives. State of California Department of JusticeJoint, January 31, 2025.
“Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Enforcement of President Trump’s Anti-Diversity Equity and Inclusion Executive Orders." California Labor & Employment Law Blog, February 26, 2025.
“Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over D.E.I. Orders.” The New York Times, February, 19, 2025.
“Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration to Challenge Anti-DEI Executive Orders on Behalf of Nonprofit Serving Diverse Group of Women in the Skilled Trades.” Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, February 26, 2025
What Does the Executive Order Mean?
“An Executive Order Explainer: Why the Courts Will Have the Final Say On Trump’s Anti-DEI Actions.” Brookings Institution, February 27, 2025.
For Higher-Education
“Trump Is Targeting DEI in Higher Ed. But What Does He Mean?” Inside Higher Ed, February 27, 2025.
“What Does the Education Department’s DEI Guidance Really Mean?” Inside Higher Ed, March 4, 2025.
“What Higher Education Needs to Know about the Trump Executive Orders.” Gibson Dunn, March 3, 2025.
For Private Sector
“EO Impact Zone, A Guide for HR Leaders: DEI Executive Orders.” SHRM, continuously updated.
“Trump Executive Order Takes on DEI in the Workplace: Practical Considerations for Private Employers.” Mintz, January 23, 2025.
“The DEI Executive Orders: Considerations for Assessing and Addressing Private Employer and Federal Contractor Programs.” Smith Anderson, February 19, 2025.
“What the DEI Executive Orders Mean for Employee Resource Groups.” SHRM, February 5, 2025.
How Can We Continue to Do DEI Work?
“5 Strategies to Continue DEI Work in the Face of Backlash.” Seramount, October 1, 2024.
“The Executive Playbook for Expanding the Impact of DEI.” Seramount, July 2024.
Note: While these resources were published prior to the signing of the executive orders, they provide great guidance for expanding the scope of DEI and making DEI valuable for everyone.
For Higher-Education
“After Sweeping Anti-DEI Guidance, What Should Colleges Do?” Inside Higher Ed, February 18, 2025.
“Injunction Blocking Parts of Trump’s Anti-DEI Orders Doesn’t Affect DEI Guidance.” Inside Higher Ed, February 25, 2025.
“As Colleges Face Funding Threat, Accreditors Offer Flexibility.” Inside Higher Ed, February 28, 2025.
For Private Sector
“Attorney General Bonta Provides Guidance for Businesses on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives in the Workplace.” State of California Department of Justice, February 13, 1015.
“Sixteen State Attorneys General Affirm Support for DEI Programs.” California Labor & Employment Law Blog, February 20, 2025.
“State Attorneys General Point to Ways DEI Programs Can Stay Within Legal Boundaries.” Ogletree Deakins, February 20, 2025.
“How to Adjust Your I&D Initiatives Under Trump’s New Guidelines.” SHRM, February 28, 2025.