As corporations face mounting pressure to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid political polarization, DEI Watch, created by DeShuna Spencer, CEO of KweliTV, provides consumers with a tool for transparency. The platform equips the public with data to hold brands accountable by tracking DEI commitments, corporate rollbacks, and financial ties to anti-DEI political campaigns
DEI initiatives have been under relentless attack in recent years. Corporations that once championed diversity efforts in response to the racial justice movements of 2020 are now retreating under conservative legal threats and political headwinds. The rollback is not just symbolic—it is systematic. Major companies that once pledged to build inclusive workplaces are now quietly scaling back these efforts, citing economic downturns or legal risks.
Recent events highlight the urgency of Spencer’s initiative. The ongoing Target boycott, spearheaded by consumers frustrated with the company’s retreat from DEI commitments, showcases the power of collective economic pressure. Similarly, the controversy surrounding the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity hiring practices, spurred by right-wing outrage over equitable recruitment efforts, underscores the growing backlash against inclusive policies. Former President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on DEI at the NABJ Convention, where he ridiculed Vice President Kamala Harris and dismissed DEI efforts as unnecessary, reflect a broader political strategy to delegitimize these initiatives altogether.
Amid these mounting threats, DEI Watch provides consumers with the facts needed to challenge corporate hypocrisy and push for continued progress.
Tracking Corporate Actions and Political Dollars
DEI Watch functions as a real-time tracker, monitoring corporations based on three key criteria:
- Companies that remain committed to DEI
- Corporations scaling back or dismantling DEI programs
- Businesses that fund anti-DEI political efforts
This level of transparency is unprecedented. Many corporations tout their commitment to social responsibility in public statements while quietly funding political candidates and organizations that work against equity and inclusion. DEI Watch peels back the curtain, exposing which companies are truly standing by their pledges and which are merely paying lip service to diversity while fueling the very movements that seek to dismantle it.
The Economic Power of Black Consumers
The platform’s impact goes beyond tracking—it empowers consumers, particularly Black Americans, to leverage their economic power. Black consumer spending is estimated to reach $1.8 trillion by 2025, making it a formidable force in shaping corporate behavior. When corporations realize that their financial success is directly tied to their commitment to DEI, they are more likely to maintain and expand these initiatives.
DEI Watch encourages consumers to take action with their wallets, rewarding companies that prioritize inclusivity and holding accountable those that do not.
Investing in Black-Owned Businesses
One of DEI Watch’s most impactful features is its resource page dedicated to Black-owned businesses, Black media, and Black farmers. While it is crucial to hold major corporations accountable, it is equally important to uplift and support businesses that have long prioritized diversity and equity. By directing consumer dollars toward Black entrepreneurs and media platforms, DEI Watch fosters economic growth within communities that have historically been excluded from mainstream financial opportunities.
DEI Watch highlights this disconnect, urging consumers to:
- Divest from backtrackers (e.g., brands reducing supplier diversity programs)
- Reward steadfast allies (e.g., companies maintaining scholarships for underrepresented groups)
- Amplify Black-owned alternatives through the platform’s resource hub, which lists Black media outlets, farmers, and retailers.
Source: HR Dive, November 22, 2024.
DEI WATCH – Holding Corporations to Their Word
“This isn’t about cancel culture,” Spencer notes. “It’s about creating systems where accountability and inclusivity are non-negotiable.”
At a time when DEI has become a political lightning rod, DEI Watch reframes the conversation: corporations don’t get to applaud Black Lives Matter one year and then initiate anti DEI initiatives next. By merging data analytics with grassroots activism, this platform transforms consumer choices into a force for structural change—proving that when transparency meets collective action, even the most entrenched systems can be reshaped.
Take Action. Explore the tool at www.dei.watch to track corporate behavior, support inclusive businesses, and make informed purchasing decisions that drive lasting change.
