When the Backlash Hits: Why Some DEI Programs Needed to Go

What this episode covers

Are we under assault or just under attack?Dr. Cheryl Ingram joins the DEIF podcast for an unfiltered conversation about the current state of DEI work. With over 20 years of experience and two PhDs, Dr. CI challenges conventional thinking about language, allyship, and what it really takes to create sustainable change. She breaks down why some DEI programs deserved to be shuttered and how practitioners can move beyond superficial solutions to create real impact.KEY TAKEAWAYS·  DEI is under assault, not attack - there's a strategic, sustained effort to dismantle progress across multiple fronts·  The attachment to DEI language can be more harmful than helpful when it prevents real action and systemic change·  ERGs are for marginalized identities, not all-inclusive spaces - understanding the difference between discomfort and harm is crucial·  Facts are rooted in collective data while truth is rooted in personal experience - both are necessary for effective DEI work·  Pay equity assessments and data-driven approaches reveal disparities that good intentions alone cannot address·  Leaders have an obligation to right historical wrongs through metrics, accountability, and strategic resource allocationGUEST BIODr. Cheryl Ingram is a two-time PhD holder, global award-winning DEI strategist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. Her documentary "You're Smarter Than You Look" has won multiple international awards, and her latest film "DEIA Guide to Navigating the Goddamn Mess They've Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" is now streaming on Tubi. She runs Inclus and has spent over two decades dismantling bias in workplaces, classrooms, and boardrooms.LINKS & RESOURCESThe Untethered Soul by Michael SingerThe World Is Waiting On You by Edwina BurkeDr. Cheryl's documentary "DEIA Guide to Navigating the Goddamn Mess They've Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" on TubiLetter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.CONNECT WITH USFollow DEI AF: Twitter: @deiafpodcastInstagram: @deiafpodcastTikTok: deiafpodcastYoutube: @D.E.IAFPodcast ABOUT DEI AFDEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

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