Black History Month in Trump's anti-DEI 2nd term: 'Watch us show out and show up'
MINNEAPOLIS - February marks the beginning of Black History Month, and it comes as The White House is dismantling Diversity Equity, and Inclusion efforts within the federal government.
Black History Month and DEI controversy
On Friday President Trump signed a proclamation recognizing Black History Month, but in the same breath his own Department of Defense declared, "Identity months dead at DoD.
"They can keep that little money they keep their pocket change and then watch us show out and show up and create new ways of sharing what is important to our culture," said Brundidge.
Doubling down on education
What they're saying:
"For me, this does not do anything except make me double down on my commitment to teach it to my children," said entrepreneur and activist Sheletta Brundidge.
Brundidge is taking action into her own hands to teach her children about Black History Month, after recent national efforts to undermine Diversity Equity, and Inclusion.
The Trump Administration says its rollbacks of DEI is because he believes it threatens merit-based hiring, promotion, and educational opportunities.
"If that was the case, we'd have more black CEOs. This country has never been fair. This country enslaved people. This country doesn't want to teach you your history," said Brundidge.
Big picture view:
It’s a conversation that’s made its way to major corporations.
"If you're a CEO of an organization and you're are in charge, you need to communicate clearly to your leadership all the way down what values you stand for," said Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, CEO of Rae Mackenzie Group, Found of People of Color Career Fair.
What you can do:
Another thing on hold in the federal workplace are employee networking groups. That’s why Brundidge is taking things into her own hands, and put together a black entrepreneur day at the State Capital on Monday.