Black-Owned Businesses Criticize Ineffective DEI Initiatives Amid Policy Changes

Black business owners have expressed disillusionment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, claiming these initiatives have largely failed to provide real support or access to federal contracts. Casey Cooper, a trucking business owner, stated that while DEI looks promising, in practice, it doesn't benefit black entrepreneurs like her. The recent rollback of DEI initiatives by President Trump, which includes two executive orders aimed at dismantling prior efforts to promote equal opportunity in the workplace, threatens to reverse any progress made under the Biden administration. Experts noted that many minority business owners feel betrayed and concerned about their futures, emphasizing that DEI policies, while imperfect, offered some level of opportunity in a system that has historically excluded them. Leaders from advocacy groups call into question the effectiveness of DEI programs, arguing that they have not sufficiently addressed the systemic barriers faced by minority contractors. The implications of Trump's actions remain uncertain, as the focus shifts to the need for more substantial structural changes to support black-owned businesses.