1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned small business owner and father of three children, aged 21, 17, and 16, residing in Dallas, Texas. Recent actions undermining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives deeply trouble me, as they threaten both our nation’s civil rights progress and economic vitality. Studies have consistently shown that diverse and inclusive environments foster innovation, drive economic growth, and enhance business performance. Notably: • A 2020 study by Citi estimated that the United States could have gained $16 trillion in GDP if racial gaps in wages, education, and lending had been closed between 2000 and 2020. • McKinsey’s 2023 research indicated that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity outperformed their peers by 27%, while those in the bottom quartile underperformed by 24%. • A 2021 Brookings study found that the U.S. GDP would have been $22.9 trillion higher from 1990 to 2019 if opportunities and outcomes were more equally distributed by race and ethnicity. As a parent, I fear that dismantling DEI initiatives will create a society where opportunities are limited for marginalized groups, including my own children, stifling their potential and hindering equitable access to opportunities. I urge you to stand firm against efforts to diminish DEI programs and to champion policies promoting inclusivity and equity, ensuring all individuals, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed. For a comprehensive understanding of these issues and supporting data, I encourage you to consult the Demand Diversity Roundtable’s letter addressed to congressional leaders. This coalition, representing over 100 million Americans, comprises organizations such as: • National Urban League • NAACP Legal Defense Fund • National Action Network • National Coalition on Black Civic Participation • National Council of Negro Women • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) • Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law • Common Cause • Southern Poverty Law Center • Arab American Institute (AAI) • National Hispanic Media Coalition • National Council of Jewish Women • National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) • Jewish Council for Public Affairs • Human Rights Campaign Foundation • Global Black Economic Forum • National Women’s Law Center • The Black Economic Alliance Foundation • African American Policy Forum The letter, dated February 12, 2025, articulates the coalition’s concerns regarding recent executive actions that threaten DEI initiatives and emphasizes the economic and social benefits of maintaining such programs. You can access the full letter on the National Urban League’s website. Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter. I am hopeful that, with your leadership, we can safeguard the rights and opportunities of all citizens, paving the way for a more just and prosperous future.