Let’s set the record straight.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a political football, weaponized by those who fear change more than they understand it. But here’s the truth: DEI is not a threat to American values. DEI is an American value. And if you want proof, just look at Houston.
We are a city that thrives because of our diversity. We are strong because of our equity. We are one of the most exciting places in the country to live and work because we’ve chosen inclusion. DEI isn’t a fad or a feel-good HR initiative—it’s the operating system of the most resilient city in America.
What DEI Really Means
Let’s break it down. DEI stands for:
- Diversity: Who is in the room
- Equity: How power and resources are distributed so that everyone has a fair chance
- Inclusion: Who gets to speak, be heard, and thrive
DEI was conceptualized in the mid 1960s as a risk mitigation strategy. Civil rights legislation was forcing open doors in workplaces and institutions across the country. But opening the door wasn’t enough—organizations had to figure out how to ensure people actually felt welcome once they walked through. Over time, DEI evolved from mere compliance into a strategy for building better institutions, more resilient companies, and communities that reflect the people they serve.
It’s not just a policy. It’s a practice, a toolset, and a commitment to widening the circle—so that everyone has a seat at the table and the posture to sit there proudly, and opportunities to shape outcomes.
Without DEI, Houston Wouldn’t Be Houston
I’m from Alief—one of the most diverse neighborhoods in America. If you know southwest Houston, you know the richness of languages, faiths, foods, and cultures that collide there. That’s not by accident. That’s DEI in motion.
DEI is the reason you can get Ethiopian breakfast, Vietnamese lunch, and Salvadoran pupusas for dinner—all within 10 minutes of each other. It’s why we have a rodeo that celebrates both Tejano music and Black heritage nights, and why women- and minority-owned businesses thrive here, some of which benefit from federal and local programs designed to level the playing field.
This is what happens when equity is practiced, not just preached.
So Why Is It Under Attack?
Let’s be real. For some, Houston’s level of diversity isn’t inspiring—it’s terrifying. There’s a faction in this country that sees representation as a threat to the status quo. And what we’re witnessing right now—from DEI bans in higher ed to corporate pullbacks—isn’t just a policy shift. It’s an erasure. A backlash against 40+ years of change that was needed.
But the harm is real. It’s already here.
- Nonprofits are losing funding.
- Immigrant communities are facing new barriers to services.
- Our tier-one universities are becoming less competitive as students look elsewhere.
- Our medical institutions, the largest in the world, are at risk of losing researchers and care providers.
And let’s not forget: DEI is good business. Companies like Target are seeing backlash and losses because of hasty, fear-based decisions. Meanwhile, Costco is thriving because it’s held the line.
What Do We Do Now?
We don’t roll over—we get strategic.
- If you’re in business, call your board and ask how you’re going to serve all your employees, especially the ones who are watching closely.
- Let your dollars reflect your values. Spend money at businesses that reflect the Houston you want to live in.
- Protect the vulnerable. Think about the immigrant families, frontline workers, and students who are being hit hardest. Get in the room where strategy happens—and bring them with you.
And if your institution has to rename your DEI department to “Access and Excellence” to keep it alive? So be it. Words change. What matters is that the values don’t. But let’s not pretend we’re okay with erasing diveristy, equity, and inclusion from our vocabulary. Because Houston without DEI is not Houston.
We are Black, brown, white, immigrant, native, queer, straight, southern, urban, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, agnostic—and we’re better when all of us are seen, valued, and heard.
This is the work of our time. It’s not about politics. It’s about people. And it’s time we say it loudly: Diversity works. Equity works. Inclusion works.
Let’s make sure Houston never forgets that.
This article was originally aired as a conversation with City Cast Houston.