The Diversity Problem With Corporate America

1A

NPR

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4.3 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 12 September 2023

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in higher education. That means colleges and universities can no longer consider a student applicant's race when building their student bodies.

The decision was a victory for Edward Blum, the legal activist who founded Students for Fair Admissions. The organization won the landmark case it brought against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Now, Blum and other conservative legal firms, have set their sights on diversity efforts in corporate America.

We discuss the legal challenges against venture capital funds, law firm fellowships, and federal contracting programs that all aim to uplift Black professionals and businesses.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	My name is Anthony. I'm a banking executive in the Atlanta Georgia area. I can tell you that
0:13.3	my career is a direct result of affirmative action. My service in the United States Army,
0:19.1	my bachelor's degree, my MBA did far less for me than when someone in the Georgia government
0:27.4	called someone at a bank and effectively told them to hire me because I was black. I know this
0:34.9	because I was sitting in the room. In a landmark decision this summer, the US Supreme Court overturned
0:40.8	race-based admissions in higher education. That decision opened up a new field of legal
0:45.7	challenges against corporations policies and programs to make their companies more diverse.
0:50.9	Why are some people targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts? How will companies pivot
0:55.7	to achieve their diversity goals? Today, we dive into the current landscape of diversity,
1:00.3	equity, and inclusion programs or DEI. Later on in the show, we discuss the legal challenges
1:06.4	against venture capital funds, federal contracting programs, and other initiatives that provide
1:11.4	financial investments and resources for entrepreneurs from marginalized backgrounds. I'm Jen White.
1:17.2	You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story. We've got a lot to
1:21.5	get into. Stay with us.
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1:55.2	Let's get into the conversation. Joining us now from New York City is Lauren Weber.
1:59.4	She's a workplace reporter for the Wall Street Journal. Also with us from Evanston, Illinois
2:04.2	is Alvin Tillery. He's the director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy
	...

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