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The executive committee of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is among the nation’s top companies amid mounting attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion by leading conservatives and billionaires like Elon Musk. It calls on Americans to reaffirm their commitment to hiring and promoting Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. And Bill Ackman.
In a letter to the nation’s 100 largest companies obtained by USA TODAY, caucus members urge CEOs to report on Asian representation in corporate leadership and efforts to redress racial disparities. I asked for it.
Contrary to the perception that highly qualified Asian workers face few obstacles in climbing the corporate ladder, surprisingly few make it into the most senior management positions. A USA TODAY analysis of top executives found that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are significantly underrepresented at the highest levels.
As anti-Asian hate spikes during the coronavirus pandemic, companies have stepped up efforts to include Asian employees in DEI efforts, but more progress is needed, Congressional Asian Pacific Americans say. said the American Committee.
The top ranks of America’s largest companies remain overwhelmingly white and male, while women and people of color are concentrated at the bottom, with lower pay, fewer perks and rare opportunities for advancement, according to a USA TODAY analysis. are doing.
“With this letter to Fortune 100 companies, we are determining whether America’s largest companies are keeping their promises, even in the face of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion by Republican lawmakers. We encourage them to continue this important work,” Judy Chu, D-Calif., chair of the Asian Pacific American Congressional Caucus, said in a statement.
The letter is similar to one the Congressional Black Caucus sent to Fortune 500 companies about their DEI efforts in December.
National Urban League President Marc Morial and other advocacy leaders have begun to band together to counter conservative efforts to dismantle DEI efforts. This week they sent a letter to business leaders urging them to keep their word.
“We believe it is essential that CEOs and other company leaders be able to make strategic decisions for their companies without the threat of frivolous litigation or political pressure, and we will continue to support them every step of the way. We will continue to support you,” they wrote.
Last summer’s Supreme Court decision striking down race-conscious admissions policies in higher education intensifies attacks on DEI as tensions rise over how U.S. companies should address persistent inequities in the workplace. .
The surge in anti-DEI rhetoric and legal challenges comes in response to efforts by companies to increase racial diversity in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. be.
Some companies are slowing down the conversation about DEI initiatives, while others are making changes to their diversity programs. More companies are bringing back DEI programs and staffing.
Zoom Video Communications, one of the companies that launched a DEI program after Floyd’s killing, laid off a team of DEI employees as part of a series of layoffs announced last month.
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