Amazon is scaling back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, joining a growing list of major corporations making similar moves in light of increasing political scrutiny. The company’s Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology Candi Castleberry sent out a recently uncovered memo to employees last month, Bloomberg reported.
In it, Castleberry said the company was winding down outdated diversity and inclusion programs.
“Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture,” Castleberry said.
The note didn’t say which programs the company planned to drop, but The Washington Post reported sections from its website including “Equity for Black People” and “LGBTQ+ Rights” were removed from the page, along with all mentions of “transgender.”
Amazon’s site currently still has other diversity sections listed, including “Latinos at Amazon,” “Amazon People with Disabilities” and “Black Employee Network.”
In 2020, Amazon set a goal of doubling the number of Black employees in vice president and director roles and announced the same goal in 2021 in addition to pledging to hire 30% more Black employees in top positions.
Other major companies have also recently curbed DEI programs. On Friday, Jan. 10, Straight Arrow News reported Meta was ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately.
McDonald’s, Ford and Walmart also made similar moves.
The DEI changes come ahead of a second term for President-elect Donald Trump, who signed an executive order toward the end of his first term in 2020 banning diversity training in government agencies, contractors and institutions that get federal funding.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order when he took office asking government agencies to promote chief diversity officers and hold DEI training, which some are now anticipating Trump will eliminate.
The changes for companies also come after conservative criticism of DEI programs and the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in 2023, reversing a decades-long effort to boost enrollment of racial minorities at universities.
The debate has critics who argue DEI policies violate the principle of equal treatment under the law when it comes to admissions, hiring and promotions against advocates who say diversity programs are still necessary to address inequality.
