This article was inspired by a report from NNPA Newswire.
By STACY BROWN
Impact of DEI Rollbacks on Black Women in Federal Employment
The dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs under the Trump administration has had significant and disproportionate effects on Black women in the federal workforce. ProPublica’s investigation sheds light on how executive actions aimed at reducing DEI initiatives have adversely impacted many civil servants, particularly those with lengthy tenures.
Case Studies of Affected Employees
Among those affected is Quay Crowner, a federal manager with over 20 years of experience in human resources at organizations like the IRS and the Government Accountability Office. She was removed from her role at the Department of Education despite her responsibilities not being related to DEI initiatives. The only aspect of her position that touched on DEI was guiding students through financial aid processes, a service accessible to all regardless of race.
During her time, Crowner noticed a troubling pattern among her colleagues: those primarily affected by the administration’s DEI policies were Black women who previously participated in diversity training encouraged by Trump’s Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, in 2020. Now, Crowner and hundreds more have joined a class-action complaint filed with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, supported by the ACLU of Washington. The suit claims violations of First Amendment rights and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, highlighting that nearly 90% of those impacted by DEI-related dismissals are women or nonbinary individuals, with approximately 80% being people of color, predominantly Black women.
Workforce Demographics and Shifts
The demographics at the Education Department have shifted markedly. Previously, Black women constituted around 28% of its staff, which was predominantly nonwhite. Since the implementation of the Trump administration’s policies, staffing in this department has decreased by 46%. In comparison, less diverse departments such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Energy saw minimal staffing changes of 1% and 13%, respectively.
Ronicsa Chambers, recognized as the FAA’s Air Traffic Manager of the Year in 2022, also faced termination from her role at the Federal Aviation Administration, despite her position having no ties to DEI work. Chambers, along with her team—five Black women and one white man with disabilities—was placed on administrative leave without reassignment, leaving them in an uncertain situation.
Legal Considerations and Broader Implications
The legal framework surrounding this situation is complicated. Experts suggest that the success of the class-action lawsuit may depend on the “disparate impact” argument, a cornerstone of civil rights law now jeopardized by recent executive actions aimed at diminishing this doctrine within federal enforcement.
Sherrell Pyatt worked across five federal agencies over a decade and was dismissed from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in March, along with nearly 150 others. As the main breadwinner, she now faces financial uncertainties regarding their mortgage and her daughters’ education expenses. Pyatt expressed frustration, stating, “It’s absolutely a way to attack people of color, people who are differently abled, people who don’t agree with what this administration is.”
Long-Term Effects on Black Federal Workers
According to the Pew Research Center, Black individuals comprise approximately 18.6% of the federal workforce, significantly exceeding their overall representation in the national labor market, which stands at 12.8%. In several states, including Mississippi, Georgia, and Maryland, the labor force can exceed 30% African American, indicating the federal government has historically provided crucial opportunities for this demographic.
Marcus Casey, an economist at the University of Illinois Chicago, notes the vital role the federal workforce has played in providing Black Americans with access to skilled employment and developmental opportunities. The continued repercussions of the Trump administration’s DEI rollbacks reach far into families and communities that once depended on stable government jobs.
As Pyatt expressed through tears, “We did what we were supposed to do. And it just doesn’t matter.”
