Apple's DEI Program Stays Despite Shareholder Rejection

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• Apple shareholders reject proposal to end DEI program
• National Center for Public Policy Research urges Apple to drop DEI
• Apple defends DEI as integral to its success
• Companies scaling back diversity initiatives under pressure
• Trump's executive order impacts corporate diversity efforts

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Apple's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Program

• Apple's DEI program faced criticism from the National Center for Public Policy Research, claiming that forced diversity could lead to legal issues and potential lawsuits for alleged discrimination.
• Despite challenges, Apple's CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the need for potential adjustments to the diversity program to align with changing legal landscapes while maintaining the company's successful culture.
• Similar to Costco, Apple believes that promoting a diverse workforce is essential for the company's continued success and market value, which is currently the highest globally at $3.7 trillion.

Source

ALJAZEERA

Fortune

Impact of Anti-DEI Shareholder Proposals on Major Corporations

• The National Center for Public Policy Research highlighted the potential financial risks faced by Apple due to discrimination lawsuits, urging the company to reconsider its DEI program.
• Conservative think tanks have strategically targeted big-name firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Coca-Cola with anti-DEI proposals, aiming to amplify opposition and push back on diversity initiatives.
• More than two dozen companies, including Airbnb, Coca-Cola, and General Motors, have received anti-DEI shareholder proposals this proxy season, indicating a broader trend of challenges to diversity efforts in corporate America.

Source

The Washington Post

Impact of President Trump's Executive Order on DEI Programs

• Attorney General Pam Bondi urged the Justice Department to investigate and penalize illegal DEI preferences at private companies and universities receiving federal funds, aligning with President Trump's order to eliminate DEI programs within the federal government.
• President Trump's executive order directed federal government agencies to no longer consider diversity in hiring and revise employee training programs to remove DEI training, emphasizing a shift towards a colorblind and merit-based society.
• Trump's order also extended to the military, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security, eliminating what he deemed as race-based and sex-based discrimination, including reinstating a ban on transgender troops and restricting identification-based pronoun usage.

Source

Forbes

Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Discourse at the World Economic Forum

• CEOs at Davos, such as Jamie Dimon and Adena Friedman, defended diversity initiatives, emphasizing outreach to various communities and the value of diverse perspectives.
• Tech executives at the forum acknowledged the political sensitivity around DEI, considering rephrasing their diversity efforts while remaining committed to the principles of inclusivity.
• Nikki Haley expressed a contrasting view, welcoming companies pulling back from DEI, suggesting a shift in sentiment towards labeling individuals based on diversity categories.

Source

Forbes

Conservative Backlash Against DEI Programs

• The National Center for Public Policy Research's Free Enterprise Project aims to combat what it sees as the "woke takeover of American corporate life" through shareholder resolutions targeting DEI and environmental regulations.
• Conservative critics and free speech advocates have labeled DEI policies as racist and "woke," leading to legal and political challenges for companies implementing such programs.
• Republican-controlled state legislatures took action against DEI in 2024, with several states banning DEI at public colleges and universities, reflecting a broader conservative backlash against perceived "woke" initiatives.

Source

Forbes

Impact of Robby Starbuck's Anti-DEI Campaign

• Robby Starbuck has successfully pressured companies to abandon DEI policies through public pressure campaigns and boycotts.
• The Human Rights Campaign criticized Starbuck for misrepresenting their Corporate Equality Index as a coercive tool, emphasizing its voluntary nature.
• Mark Cuban has voiced support for DEI initiatives, highlighting their positive impact on business performance based on his investment experience.

Source

Forbes

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