These Major Corporations Refuse To Ditch DEI Initiatives
Costco is joined by Delta and the Cleveland Cavaliers in doubling down on DEI.
The elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs is not the norm for all major corporations.
Big-name businesses like Delta and Costco are retaining its DEI policies. In a conference call earlier this month, Delta Air Lines’ chief legal officer Peter Carter said the airline remains “steadfast in our [DEI] commitments because we think that they are actually critical to our business. Sustainability is about being more efficient in our operations.”
Kevin Clayton, executive vice president and chief equity and impact officer for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, said:
“We believe that everybody in our organization, every person in our community, is part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion story. So, it’s not about any one group. This work is about humanity. We know that our platform is one that can uplift our community—everyone in our community.”
Costco was one of the first companies to publicly announce its continued efforts to create a more equitable workplace. In a board vote, 98% of the members opted to maintain the current practices.
“Our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary,” the company’s board of directors said in a statement.
Beyond the ethical and moral reasons to keep DEI in place, the move is also good business.
According to a 2023 study by McKinsey, companies that actively engage with DEI policies and initiatives perform better financially. Companies with gender-diverse boards are 27% more likely to outperform, and those with ethnically diverse boards are 13% more likely to do so.
The Trump administration has shown no concern over those statistics. The elimination or promotion of DEI at the federal level will not affect the amount of tax money the government receives. There is no financial incentive for the administration to continue the practice.
Implementing DEI is about ethics and morality. The policies ensure that marginalized Americans have an opportunity to engage in the free market without discrimination. Many have already been affected by the attack on these policies, including women of all races, disabled persons, veterans, and the elderly.
Companies and the federal government no longer need to consider qualified minorities and give them the opportunities they deserve. In fact, the White House statement takes a perverse view of denying minorities the chance for equity, invoking the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Reversing the progress made in the decades since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 toward a colorblind and competence-based workplace, radical DEI has dangerously tainted many of our critical businesses and influential institutions, including the federal government,” a White House spokesperson said.
While the government continues to push the idea of DEI as a “dangerous” and discriminatory practice, companies are seeing through the rhetoric and ensuring that the process of equity is observed and implemented.
No Survivors Expected After American Eagle Jet Collides With Army Helicopter At Reagan National Airport
The passenger jet was carrying 64 people; the Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board.
A military helicopter and a commercial plane, collided over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)Airport on Wednesday, January 29.
American Airlines Flight 5342, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, was attempting to land when it collided with the Sikorsky Black Hawk Military helicopter. The commercial aircraft split in half, after it landed in about seven feet of water, NBC Washington reported.
The Bombardier CRJ700 was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional airline and a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines.
Donnelly said 27 bodies had already been recovered from the passenger jet.
U.S. and Russian figure skaters and their families were on the jet The athletes were returning from a training camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships over the weekend in Wichita.
“The American Airlines flight coming in to land was in a standard flight pattern as it was coming into DCA, so this was not unusual with a military aircraft flying the river and aircraft landing at DCA,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a press conference.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft ” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a statement posted on the company’s website.
“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at (800) 679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call (800) 679-8215 directly.”
DCA Airport is scheduled to reopen at 11 a.m. Eastern today.
RFK Jr.’s Absurd And Racist Comments Resurface Amid Confirmation Hearing
Think he will deny those claims?
Past comments made by Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about separate vaccine schedules for Black people resurfaced shortly after his Senate confirmation hearing began, the Washington Post reports.
The controversial claim happened in 2021 and was posted on the website of his anti-vaccine nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense. He promoted separate vaccine schedules for Black people due to better immune systems.
“Now we know that, you know, we should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule that’s given to Whites, because their immune system is better than ours,” Kennedy said.
He also made false claims correlated to the autism rates of Black children.
There were approximately 36 times that Kenendy linked vaccines to autism despite having no scientific evidence to support his claims. In over 400 podcast appearances, he referred to vaccines as dangerous, with claims that the risks outweigh the benefits, in addition to misleading remarks about vaccine safety testing in about 114 of those interviews.
Before resigning from his post as chairman of the board and chief legal counsel following his appointment from President Donald Trump, Kennedy alleged vaccines “poisoned an entire generation of American children” and that doctors have “butchered all these children” by giving shots recommended by federal authorities.
Physicians and scientists have sounded the alarm on Kennedy’s claims long before Trump named him as HHS nominee. Physician Stanley Plotkin, known as the “godfather of American vaccine science,” said the statements prove he is not the right person to lead this important department. “Making statements is easy, but if you don’t have the evidence, it’s just baloney,” Plotkin, who created a vaccine againstrubella and worked on vaccines for rotavirus and other pathogens, said.
Though many of his comments have proven false, Kennedy calls himself “an expert on vaccines.” Kennedy once refused to back down on any claims. “I’d actually like to see an example of something I’ve ever said on my Instagram, on the Children’s Health Defense, in my book, that’s not true,” the nominee said during an April 2024 interview.
“My book has 2,200 footnotes. I am an expert on vaccines. I’m not a doctor, but I can claim expertise because I have three best-selling books on vaccines.”
That is until he sat before dozens of state Senators — both Democratic and Republican — to potentially be confirmed as the next head of the department on Jan. 29. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) was one of several lawmakers to grill him on past remarks about COVID-19, Lyme disease, and AIDS. Bennet pointed out that Kennedy once said COVID-19 was a “genetically engineered bio-weapon that targets Black and white people but spared Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people,” according to CNN.
When asked about remarks claiming “African AIDS is an entirely different disease from Western AIDS,” the member of the famous political family said he wasn’t sure if he wrote that in his book.
After Kennedy’s statements about suddenly being “pro-vaccine” and admitting that his own children were vaccinated, Bennet said he wasn’t falling for it and believed that Kennedy was peddling “half-truths.”
The Days Of DEI Look Grim, But It Does Have A Future
The DEI industry is expected to push past $24 billion by 2030.
When it comes to the future of DEI, industry experts say the initiative isn’t going away. In fact, it’s expected to grow despite the current anti-DEI movement, according to a Forbes report.
There has been an increase in pushback from conservative lobbyist groups and Republican leaders, with Meta, Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Ford, Toyota, Stanley Black & Decker, Harley-Davidson, Boeing, Coors, and Jack Daniel’s rolling back their DEI strategies.
Nearly a dozen high-profile companies have not given up on DEI initiatives. Costco, Apple, Cigna, Coca-Cola, Citigroup, John Deere, Progressive, MGM, and PepsiCo have all vocalized their support for DEI. Cisco and JP Morgan Chase have gone a step further and defended their DEI efforts.
Experts from Working Deal said, “An executive order cannot prohibit private employers from engaging in lawful strategies to advance equal opportunity for all under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
However, companies could face some challenges in trying to achieve quotas or mandatory training.
What industry leaders are paying attention to are the benefits of DEI, including costs. According to the Forbes report, exclusion is more costly than DEI. Exclusion shows up in employee attrition, discrimination, equity lawsuits, lower revenues, and profitability.
Even with the pushback from conservatives, DEI is expected to grow and thrive thanks to employee resource groups, allyship programs, and partnerships.
The Forbes report estimates that 90% of organizations have employee resource groups (ERGs), and many companies have kept them despite pushing back on DEI initiatives, including Walmart. Allyship programs and partnerships with community organizations will continue to fill the gap in educating the leadership in companies.
Too Short’s Big Brother Killed In Botched Robbery Attempt
Wayne Shaw was 61 years old.
The older brother of rapper Too Short (Todd Shaw) was shot and killed in an attempted robbery Wednesday morning in East Oakland.
Oakland Police Department Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies said the suspects rammed a car into a marijuana grow house on 49th Avenue near East 12th Street to get inside.
When Wayne Shaw walked outside the store at around 7 a.m., he was shot multiple times. According to The Mercury News, Shaw, 61, died several hours in Highland Hospital.
In a robbery attempt at a cannabis business, the brother of legend Too Short was shot and killed. pic.twitter.com/y5Yqbm7MiI
According to NBC Bay Area, investigators are unsure if Shaw was the intended target or if was a random shooting. No arrests have been made and police are looking for multiple suspects, according to The Mercury News.
“The suspects arrived to the location,” Oakland police Lt. Gloria Beltran said. “They attempted to force their way into the property. While they were attempting their way in, the victim stepped out, was confronted by the suspects. The suspects fired several rounds at the victim.”
The Oakland Police Department asks anyone with information related to the shooting to call (510) 238-3821 or (510) 238-7950. If anyone has access to videos or pictures in connection with the shooting, they can send an email to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.
Too Short is a beloved hip-hop recording artist who started his recording career in the 1980s after selling cassettes on the streets of East Oakland. He has been a champion of the Bay Area since his inception into the hip-hop world in the late 1980s. The platinum-selling artist, who still records, had a street named after him in East Oakland in late 2022.
North Carolina A&T Beats Top 5 Teams At Bowling Tournament, Finishes In 3rd Place
The team just completed the Prairie View A&M University Invitational and will participate in the Fyler Invitational hosted by Lewis University.
A woman’s bowling tournament at Prairie View A&M University Invitational at the International Training and Research Center (ITRC) has seen the North Carolina A&T squad emerge victorious over the five top bowling teams in the country on the tournament’s second day.
On the school’s athletic page, it was reported that the team finished third overall when the Prairie View A&M University Invitational ended on Sunday, Jan. 26. The Aggies, based on rankings from the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Coaches’ Poll was the 10th-ranked team in the nation and finished 5-0 on the tournament’s second day of games.
The team had a total pinfall of 14,132, amounting to the highest of the tournament. The women averaged 214.1 pins over 66 games and finished the weekend with a 11-2 record.
When the games started on Jan. 26, in a traditional format game, North Carolina A&T took on the ninth-ranked Maryville and lost when their opponent outscored them 1,066-1,008.
The school opened bracket play against Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and rushed out to a 3-0 lead by out-pinning the Bearkats 707-603. Although SHSU won the fourth game, 228-195, North Carolina A&T defeated the Bearkats with a 205-194 Game 5 win.
The Aggies then went up against the University of South Carolina and took the first contest by a score of 223-194. After South Carolina won Game 2, the Aggies took a 2-1 lead in the series by narrowly out-pinning Jacksonville State 246-244. However, the Gamecocks took the series 4-2 by winning three straight, out-pinning the Aggies over those three games, 688-612. In a shootout, Jacksonville State had a total pinfall of 1,351 to North Carolina A&T’s 1,272.
But senior Maya Avilez, who led the Aggies by posting a 248 total pinfall, is the current Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) bowler of the week. She averaged 234.67 over six games, finishing behind Vanderbilt’s Isabel Allen. She had a total of 1,440 pins for an average of 240.
The Aggies record stands at 49-22 after playing in the invitational and will compete in Lockport, Ill., to participate in the Fyler Invitational hosted by Lewis University.
Georgia’s Potential Homebuyers Face Skyrocketing Prices
Median home prices in Georgia's 'core counties' have ballooned since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Georgia’s “core counties” have seen a 59% rise in median home prices since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the Georgia Multiple Listing Service.
The report compares metro Atlanta’s housing data from 2024 to figures taken before the pandemic. Over the past five years, home prices in Georgia’s core counties—Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale—have surged.
“The median home sale five years ago around Atlanta was about $255,000. Today it’s $405,000, according to Georgia MLS’ tally for 2024,” Urbanize reports.
This increase in home prices mirrors the national median, which stands at $407,500. Despite rising costs, the market remains strong, with home sales hitting a 10-month high in December 2024. However, growth has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Alice Zheng, an economist at Citigroup, said the current growth trend is likely unsustainable. With mortgage rates nearing 7%, many Americans are opting to rent rather than buy, Zheng told Reuters, “we do not expect much further upside for housing demand in the near term.”
While the market may not be ideal for buyers, some are preparing for the right moment. Black Men Buy Houses, a program aimed at helping Black men navigate the home-buying process, is working to bridge the knowledge gap and equip individuals for homeownership.
Created by Kevan and Ayesha Shelton, the initiative seeks to provide resources for Black men who face challenges in securing financing, credit, and down payments.
“Our initiative’s objective is to break down these barriers, enabling more Black men to achieve the dream of homeownership,” said the Sheltons.
While the market remains uncertain, the work of the Sheltons is helping to prepare Black men for future opportunities in homeownership.
Georgia Mayor Exits Council Meeting After Being Confronted On Alleged Misuse Of Funds
South Fulton's Mayor Kobi appears to be dodging questions about his use of city funds.
South Fulton Mayor Kobi, formerly known as Khalid Kamau,walked out of a city council meeting after questions were raised about his spending on city credit cards.
Kobi expressed his disappointment over the criticism. The mayor also cited the state’s and county’s historically Black population as a reason for his disappointment .
“I am so distressed and disappointed that the Blackest city in one of the Blackest states in the United States, heading into Black History Month, we are tearing each other down,” Kobi said.
Councilwoman Helen Willis took issue with Kobi’s statement. In a sharp response, Willis pointed out the source of the council’s frustration, specifically referencing Kobi’s December trip to Africa, which was paid for using county credit cards.
“We’re not tearing you down; you took your Black behind over to Africa for 20 days and didn’t tell anybody,” Councilwoman Willis responded.
County records do not show the proper disclosures from Kobi. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the investigation into Kobi and his alleged misappropriation of county funds. The mayor is accused of using county funds to purchase over $5,000 in plane tickets, a $1,300 drone, and several Amazon items.
The inquiry began after Reshard Snellings, a concerned citizen, noticed Kobi’s extravagant trip to Ghana during the holiday season. Kobi embarked on a 20-day trip to the African country and documented the excursion on his Instagram.
Snellings grew suspicious and contacted Atlanta’s Channel 2 News. The outlet’s investigative team uncovered $26,000 in unexplained expenses on the county’s credit cards.
The mayor addressed constituents via Instagram Live and described the travel guidelines as hindering progress, claiming the language was intentionally tricky.
“We all realize we have not been using the (purchase) card or travel policy the way they’re outlined in the policy because the policy is just unworkable,” he said. “It was written to trip people up and prevent things from getting done.”
Retiree Killed In Ocho Rios Sparks Fear Among Repatriating Jamaicans
The crime has shaken the once-quiet community, and residents are calling for an increased police presence and more significant efforts to ensure public safety.
In Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Saturday morning, Jan. 25, the body of 72-year-old Luris Murray was discovered in her home. Murray, a retired nurse who had spent decades working in the United States, had returned to Jamaica hoping to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Instead, she became the victim of a heinous crime that has shaken her family, neighbors, and others who sought to repatriate to the Caribbean nation after living abroad.
A Brutal Discovery
Murray’s hired help discovered her body in the living room. An electric cord was wrapped around her neck. Police reports suggested that criminals broke into her home on Friday night, sexually assaulted her, and robbed her. Two vehicles belonging to Murray were stolen during the attack but were later recovered in separate locations around Ocho Rios.
Senior Superintendent of Police Dwight Powell, head of the St. Ann Police Division, described the incident as deeply disturbing and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Her death is a tragic reminder of the challenges we face in tackling violent crimes,” he said.
Dreams of a Peaceful Retirement Shattered
Murray had returned to Jamaica hoping to reconnect with her roots and enjoy a tranquil retirement. She had purchased a home and additional lots in Pyramid Heights, where she planned to invest in farming and raise chickens.
Her daughter, speaking to CVM TV, shared her devastation and disbelief. “She had a genuine love for Jamaica and its people,” she said, her voice trembling.
“It’s just unbelievable that after working, leaving your country to search for the American dream, and finally achieving it, this is what happens when you come back to your own birthright country.”
The tragedy has left Murray’s family not only grieving but also questioning the safety of returning to Jamaica. Her daughter warned members of the diaspora to think carefully about the risks involved.
“It makes somebody like me not want to return,” she said.
@kanielcole A 72-year-old woman was reportedly killed after criminals broke into her house, sexually assaulted, and robbed her. The retired nurse left the United States to settle in Jamaica when she became a target. Her daughter says her mother, Luris Murray, genuinely loved Jamaica and its people and wanted to retire on the island doing everything she loved, including farming and raising chickens. CVM TV spoke exclusively to Ms Murray. Watch the video and stay tuned for more details. #CVMNews♬ original sound – Kaniel Cole
Growing Concerns in the Diaspora
Murray’s murder has reignited fears among Jamaicans living abroad about the dangers of retiring on the island. Returning residents are often perceived as wealthy after years of working overseas, making them prime targets for violent crime.
Despite reassurances from local authorities, these fears persist. In 2022, Senior Superintendent Wayne Joseph of the Westmoreland Police sought to reassure returning residents; victims of crime, he said, are often targeted by people they know. However, these statements have done little to ease the diaspora’s anxiety, especially in the wake of high-profile cases like Murray’s.
The Jamaica Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents has long warned of the dangers retirees face. Its president, Percival LaTouche, has repeatedly discouraged Jamaicans abroad from returning, describing the country as “a fertile place to commit murder.”
A Community in Mourning
Murray’s neighbors in Pyramid Heights are struggling to process the tragedy. They described her as a kind, hardworking woman who loved Jamaica deeply and was firmly committed to her community.
“It’s devastating,” one neighbor said. “She came back here to live in peace, and this is what happened to her. It’s just heartbreaking.”
The crime has shaken the once-quiet community, and residents are calling for an increased police presence and more significant efforts to ensure public safety.
Calls for Justice
The St. Ann Police has launched an intensive investigation into Murray’s murder and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Senior Superintendent Powell emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving the case.
“We are following all leads and working tirelessly to ensure the individuals responsible are held accountable,” he said.
For Murray’s family, justice is paramount, but the circumstances of her death compound the pain of their loss. Her daughter called on authorities to take more decisive action against violent crime, saying, “She loved this country, and it breaks our hearts that this is how her story ends.”
Diaspora Hesitancy Grows
The murder has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with members of the Jamaican diaspora voicing their reluctance to visit or resettle in their homeland. Many have expressed fears that returning to Jamaica could make them targets of violence, regardless of their contributions to the community.
“This isn’t just one incident—it’s part of a pattern,” one U.S.-based Jamaican wrote in a Facebook group for returning residents. “How can we feel safe coming back when these crimes keep happening?”
The hesitancy among the diaspora poses a challenge for Jamaica, as returning residents are vital to the country’s economy and social fabric. Their investments and contributions significantly impact local communities, and their absence could have long-term consequences.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into Murray’s murder continues, her family hopes her story will serve as a wake-up call. They want more substantial measures to protect returning residents and locals, ensuring that no one else must endure such a tragedy.
Murray’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges Jamaica faces in addressing violent crime. Returning residents’ dream of retiring in their homeland is increasingly overshadowed by fears for their safety.
While her family grieves, they remain determined to honor her legacy by advocating for change. “We want justice—not just for her, but for every family affected by these senseless acts of violence,” her daughter said.
Murray’s story is not just a personal tragedy—it’s a call to action for a nation grappling with the balance between its potential and its challenges. Her life and dreams will not be forgotten, and her family will ensure her story is told, hoping to inspire a safer future for all Jamaicans.
Pros and Cons Of Selling Your Home Versus Using A Real Estate Agent
Choosing to sell your home yourself or with a real estate agent may rely on profit or how much time you have.
The potential to save money is among the top reasons why some people look to sell their own homes instead of using a real estate agent.
A recent survey from Clever, a real estate education platform for home buyers, sellers, and investors, showed that people using for sale by owner (FSBO) sometimes embrace the option not to pay a listing agent commission.
But the process is not easy and may come with snags.
Forty-nine percent of FSBO sellers wish they had priced their home differently, compared to 73% of represented sellers who felt their agent had priced their home right. Eighty percent of sellers without an agent were dissatisfied with parts of their home sale, with a lack of offers (24%) being the most common regret.
Moreover, 50% of FSBO sellers felt overwhelmed when selling their home, and 53% added buyers didn’t trust them.
The bottom line: People aiming to save money in 2025 may be enticed to be FSBO sellers. However, research showed that those sellers can end up disappointed because they might bag more money with a real estate agent.
Based on an average listing agent commission of 2.74%, FSBO sellers could save about $14,000 on a $500,000 home. Yet sellers who team with an agent and pay commissions reported an average profit of $207,500, a robust $79,000 more than FSBO sellers’ profit of $128,500.
In July and August of 2024, Clever surveyed 654 American adults who sold a home in 2023 or 2024 to gauge their home-selling experiences, including if they used an agent.
In general, sellers should be aware of the pros and cons of using the FSBO approach or hiring a real estate agent to peddle your home.
Jaime Dunaway-Seale, author of this report, says the upside is they have more control over their sales. For instance, they can negotiate without an intermediary. They can organize their showings and set their list price.
The downside: They forsake a lot of expertise by not using an agent and risk getting fewer buyers coming to see their home because an agent is not being used.
“That lack of expertise usually leads to lower profits overall for those sellers,” Dunaway-Seale tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
The good news for sellers hiring an agent is that they will receive much help from a real estate agent who knows the market and understands the home-buying process. This usually results in more significant profit, faster sales, and a less stressful experience for the homeowner.
Conversely, using an agent is usually a significantly sizable upfront investment, which can reduce your overall profit.
“The right choice for the homeowner on which option to use may depend on their situation and what they value the most, including variables such as profit, finding the right buyer, and how fast they want to sell,” Dunaway-Seale says.
