The 2024 year has been a tough one for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all industries. Growing resistance, political pushback, and organizational overcorrection have left many wondering: Is this the end of DEI as we know it? Not even close, but the work has to evolve. In today’s post, I offer up a DEI Playbook for 2025. It is my hope that stakeholders can use the recommended strategies to navigate headwinds, drive measurable impact, and reestablish or fortify DEI as a core force for organizational success and social innovation.

These last few months leading up to the election have condensed years of simmering politicized tensions among our communities into one pivotal voting moment. And, when it's all said and done, we have to return to work. In light of this reality, I figure that now would be the time to offer up some communal self-care advice for navigating this post-election cycle environment in the workplace that Tim Walz would best characterize as "weird."

A recent Dragons' Den episode ignited a debate on cultural sensitivity in business when entrepreneurs pitched a boba tea product without acknowledging its Asian heritage. This incident, highlighted by Marvel actor Simu Liu, underscores the importance of balancing financial goals with cultural respect. In the upcoming article, I explore key lessons everyone can learn from this controversy.

Despite recent headlines, DEI is far from dead—it’s being forced to evolve. This article explains how and why DEI remains vital and why the work has to continue despite the distracting headlines. Enjoy!