As DEI is targeted by Trump, practitioners discuss their approach

By Evan Dawson,

Published January 28, 2025 at 4:16 PM EST

Four people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a woman at left in foreground has short black hair and is wearing glasses, a bright pink shirt with white writing, jeans, and black shoes; a man at right in foreground has short dark hair and is wearing a blue and white plaid button-down shirt, jeans, and sneakers; a man at left in background has short grey hair and is wearing a blue blazer and white button-down shirt; a man at right at background has short black hair and is wearing glasses, a grey fleece, and purple polo shirt.

1 of 2 — (foreground) Jessica Lewis, (background) Bill Moehle and Chad Anderson on "Connections"

(foreground) Jessica Lewis, (background) Bill Moehle, and Chad Anderson on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Tuesday, January 28, 2025

David Griffin / WXXI News

A smiling man has short dark hair and is wearing glasses, a beige blazer with a blue pocket square, a light blue button-down shirt and an orange tie.

2 of 2 — Sim Covington, Jr..jpg

Sim Covington, Jr.

Provided

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.

President Trump has signed an executive order dismantling federal DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs and funding. His administration is searching for ways to take DEI apart in corporate and academic settings.

The president has called DEI a "scam" and his advisors say it has only caused more division.

Our guests have a range of experience in DEI. They discuss how they view DEI in their work and their community.

Our guests:

Chad Anderson, vice president of B.L.O.O.M. ROC
Jessica Lewis, president and CEO of LáLew Public Relations
Sim Covington, Jr., Ed.D., chief diversity officer for FLCC
Bill Moehle, Brighton town supervisor