Texas bans DEI - Change is up to all of us

Greg Abbott has signed a bill banning DEI efforts from publicly funded universities. Abbot's signature is no surprise, but knowing he would sign it, does not make it any easier to digest. Some supporters of this bill may believe DEI programs are unnecessary or discriminatory. That is not the reality many students face. Clearly, our legislature and the constituents that support this bill do not fully understand the stories, experiences, and struggles that minorities and underrepresented groups face in every aspect of American life. Legislative initiatives like these are why ESG initiatives are critical to the future of the United States and every single country across the globe. We do not live in an equitable society; getting rid of programs that attempt to bridge the gap is not a solution.

The change we need will come from something other than the government. Individuals and companies, big and small, have the power to ensure their workforces are diverse. In nature, life, and business, diversity has proven time and time again to be a source of innovation and improvement.

I am thankful to be a RISE Scholar at UTA. The RISE Academy program teaches students how to use their strengths to adapt and overcome the leadership challenges we will face in the workplace by learning from practicing executives from diverse backgrounds. I am grateful to Philisa Stanford, M.Ed., Myrtle Bell, Jhonniece Meeks, Santander Consumer USA for supporting RISE Academy.

I encourage all individuals and organizations to follow Santander's example and support local universities by developing relationships with faculty & staff to help provide opportunities to all.