HBCU ORIGINAL
Are Companies Backing Away From DEI? What It Means for HBCU Students and Alumni
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are an integral part of many corporate spaces—but things are changing. Over the past few years, DEI has been embraced by companies looking to create a workforce that reflects the communities they serve. Now, though, some businesses are scaling back, leaving many of us in HBCU communities wondering what this means for our opportunities and progress.
Let’s break it down:
Why the Retreat on DEI?
A mix of political pressures, legal challenges, and shareholder concerns have driven some of the biggest names in corporate America to rethink their DEI commitments. Companies that once stood boldly behind inclusive hiring, employee resource groups (ERGs), and supplier diversity initiatives are now scaling back—or rebranding those efforts.
For instance:
- Terms like “equity” are being swapped for “belonging” or “diversity of thought.”
- High-profile organizations like Amazon and Boeing have cut back or outright dismantled their DEI teams.
For HBCU students and alumni, who are often a focus of these programs, this shift raises questions about representation and access to opportunity in industries that have traditionally been less inclusive.
Companies Scaling Back
Here’s a quick look at some major companies making significant changes:
- Amazon: Ended certain DEI programs, calling them outdated.
- Boeing: Closed its global DEI department entirely in 2023.
- Meta: Cut DEI hiring programs and scaled back supplier diversity.
- Target: Completed its three-year DEI goals but pulled back on external diversity surveys.
These shifts don’t just impact employees already working in these companies—they can also make internships, partnerships, and recruitment opportunities harder to come by for HBCU students.
Who’s Still Standing Firm?
Not every company is stepping away from DEI. In fact, some are doubling down, emphasizing how diversity is not only right but also a smart business move.
- Apple: Encouraged shareholders to reject anti-DEI proposals and reaffirmed its commitment to creating a diverse workforce.
- Delta Air Lines: Called DEI a critical part of its business success during a recent earnings call.
- Salesforce: CEO Marc Benioff stood firm, stating that diverse perspectives drive better business outcomes.
- Cisco: CEO Chuck Robbins said that a diverse team delivers measurable success.
These companies are leading by example, showing how DEI creates spaces where everyone can thrive—including HBCU alumni and students.
What’s the Impact on HBCUs?
For HBCUs, corporate DEI programs have long been an important bridge, connecting students to internships, scholarships, and post-grad careers. As these programs diminish, HBCU graduates could face additional challenges breaking into certain industries or ascending the corporate ladder.
But there’s good news: the value of an HBCU education doesn’t hinge on corporate trends. As students and alumni, we carry the legacy of resilience, excellence, and community that no DEI initiative can erase.
How Can You Stay Ready?
Even as DEI landscapes shift, here are ways you can stay ahead:
- Build Your Network: Leverage HBCU alumni associations, LinkedIn groups, and other professional networks to create connections in your field.
- Be Informed: Keep up with companies actively recruiting HBCU students or maintaining DEI efforts.
- Own Your Value: Highlight the unique skills and perspectives you bring to the table as an HBCU graduate.
Final Thoughts
Change can be unsettling, but it’s important to remember: while companies may scale back DEI, they can’t take away the impact HBCU students and alumni have made—and will continue to make. Whether it’s in boardrooms, classrooms, or on Capitol Hill, the legacy of HBCUs is unstoppable.
Keep pushing. Keep networking. Keep building. Because no matter how corporate trends shift, our community remains strong and thriving.
What’s your take on these changes? Let’s talk in the comments!
🏅 HBCU Stars Shine in Eugene at NCAA 2025
The 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships brought the best of the best to Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon—and HBCU athletes rose to the occasion. Here’s how they placed in the finals:
🥉 Jordan Pierre (University of Arkansas‑Pine Bluff)
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Event: Men’s 400 m
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Final Placement: 3rd Place – 45.75 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America
💪 Jarrett Gentles (Coppin State University)
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Event: Men’s 400 m Hurdles
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Final Placement: 9th Overall
🥉 Marcia Sey (Howard University)
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Event: Women’s 100 m Hurdles
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Final Placement: 3rd Place – 12.93 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America and highest NCAA finish in Howard’s track history
🏃♀️ Howard Women’s 4×100 m Relay
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Team Members: Kailei Collins, Marcia Sey, Tiffani‑Rae Pittman, Aiyana Gray‑Williams
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Final Placement: 6th Place – 43.23 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America
📊 Quick Recap
| Athlete / Team | Event | Final Result | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Pierre (UAPB) | 400 m | 🥉 3rd Place | First Team All-America |
| Jarrett Gentles (Coppin State) | 400 m Hurdles | 9th Place | – |
| Marcia Sey (Howard) | 100 m Hurdles | 🥉 3rd Place – 12.93s | First Team All-America |
| Howard 4×100 Relay | 4×100 m | 6th Place – 43.23s | First Team All-America |
📍 Breakdown: 26 Cities with Major Juneteenth Celebrations
Southeast:
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Atlanta, GA – Huge parade, live music, family zone
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Memphis, TN – Festival on the Mississippi + fireworks
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Orlando, FL – Juneteenth 5K & educational symposiums
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Charlotte, NC – Vendor village + youth storytelling
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New Orleans, LA – Food, music, culture by the bayou
Northeast:
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Philadelphia, PA – Historic AAMP exhibits & gospel showcase
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Baltimore, MD – Spoken word, storytelling & street festival
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New York, NY – Broadway block party + family market
Midwest:
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Chicago, IL – Annual Juneteenth Parade & picnic
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Detroit, MI – Wellness walks, cultural talks, food trucks
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Cleveland, OH – Outdoor movie night + music
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St. Louis, MO – Educational workshops + parade
South:
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Houston, TX – Celebrating at historic Emancipation Park
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Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum block party & poetry
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Birmingham, AL – Health & wealth expos
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Jackson, MS – Family freedom fest + Black-owned vendors
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Louisville, KY – Parade + Black Wall Street event
West Coast & Beyond:
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Los Angeles, CA – Grand Park celebration, Black culture exhibits
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Oakland, CA – Freedom Festival & economic empowerment fair
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San Francisco, CA – Parade across Fillmore
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Denver, CO – Street fair, live jazz, unity march
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Seattle, WA – Community rally & soul food
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Phoenix, AZ – HBCU alumni cookout & music
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Minneapolis, MN – Youth dance & spoken word
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Columbus, OH – Citywide Juneteenth march
🎓 HBCUs at the Center
Many of these celebrations include HBCU marching bands, alumni chapters, student orgs, and vendor booths. From performances to education panels, HBCUs continue to be pillars in preserving the legacy of Juneteenth.
🔗 Join the Movement
📷 Tag @THEHBCUORIGINAL
🏷️ Hashtags: #HBCUJuneteenth #Juneteenth2025 #BlackFreedom
Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that all enslaved people were free.
For the estimated 250,000 Black people still enslaved in Texas, this was the first time they were told of their freedom. While freedom had been the law since January 1, 1863, it wasn’t enforced in remote Confederate states like Texas until Union troops physically arrived.
But Juneteenth is more than a date.
It’s a spiritual and cultural milestone. It represents:
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Delayed justice, but not denied dignity.
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A collective awakening to freedom.
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The beginning of a new fight—for land, civil rights, and equity.
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The power of Black resilience, community, and culture.
Since its origin, Juneteenth has evolved from small family cookouts and church gatherings into nationwide celebrations filled with festivals, education, music, and activism. In 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday, a testament to generations of Black voices demanding that America remember and respect this part of its history.
Juneteenth and Slavery in Texas
In Texas, slavery had continued as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops. Many enslavers from outside the Lone Star State had moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery.
After the war came to a close in the spring of 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston that June signaled freedom for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. Although emancipation didn’t happen overnight for everyone—in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after harvest season—celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.
The year following 1865, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of “Jubilee Day” on June 19. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities, and as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread.
Published by HBCU Original | June 13, 2025
Under Armour is giving HBCU pride a fashionable step forward with its latest sneaker drop and campaign celebrating Black sisterhood, Greek life, and the vibrant legacy of Maryland’s historically Black colleges.
For the launch of its newest lifestyle sneaker, the UA Echo, Under Armour partnered with Baltimore native and award-winning photographer Devin Allen to shoot the “Sisterhood in Style” campaign. The powerful visuals were brought to life on the campuses of Bowie State University and Morgan State University, spotlighting women from the first Black Greek-letter sorority in bold, expressive styles.
More than a simple product release, “Sisterhood in Style” tells a deeper story—one of culture, community, and representation. The campaign highlights tradition and individuality, showing how today’s HBCU students are redefining style on their own terms.
“More than a product spotlight, Sisterhood in Style reflects UA’s broader commitment to innovation and community—empowering the next generation to show up boldly, break boundaries, and define their own style codes,” Under Armour shared in a press release.
The new UA Echo sneaker, designed in a striking pink and green colorway, is now available online for $150—a clear nod to the heritage of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
This campaign continues Under Armour’s connection to local education institutions. Last fall, the brand also gave back to Baltimore City College and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute by donating to their athletic programs and creating custom school merchandise.
With “Sisterhood in Style,” Under Armour isn’t just releasing a sneaker—it’s recognizing the beauty, strength, and cultural impact of Black women at HBCUs. And that’s a story worth walking in.
#HBCUOriginal #SisterhoodInStyle #BowieState #MorganState #UnderArmour #BlackExcellence #GreekLife
June 10, 2025 | Eugene, Oregon
Florida A&M’s standout middle-distance runner, Kirk Dawkins, is headed to the big stage as he prepares to compete in the 800-meter semifinals at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships this Wednesday. The race will take place at 8:58 p.m. EST at the legendary Hayward Field, located on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Catch the action live on ESPN.
Dawkins earned his spot at nationals by running a personal-best time of 1:46.62 at the NCAA East Regional quarterfinals—an impressive mark that solidifies his status among the elite in collegiate track.
This season has been a breakout year for the FAMU junior. He claimed the SWAC Outdoor Championship title in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.2 and followed that up with a strong 1:48.01 showing at the East Coast Relays. His steady improvement and commitment to excellence are paying off as he heads into the national spotlight.
All eyes will be on Dawkins Wednesday night as he looks to continue his historic season and represent Florida A&M on the national stage.
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