Apple’s board of directors has urged shareholders to reject a proposal that could gut the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion standards, joining a growing list of companies that are bucking the trend of rolling back DEI commitments. The proposal was raised by a conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research.
The push against DEI policies comes as corporate America grapples with the backlash from conservative critics who consider these programs racist and “woke.” Billionaires like Bill Ackman and Elon Musk have been outspoken advocates against DEI policies.
Despite the growing opposition, many companies are pushing back against the anti-DEI movement. Mark Cuban has defended DEI policies, stating that they can have a positive impact on bottom lines.
The proposal to gut Apple’s DEI standards was first raised in 2014, when shareholders rejected a resolution that would have forced the company to disclose more about the cost effectiveness of its investments to combat climate change. Since then, several high-profile companies have abandoned their DEI programs, including John Deere, Harley-Davidson, and Lowe’s.
Robby Starbuck, a former music video director, has been at the forefront of the anti-DEI movement on social media. He has claimed credit for influencing policy changes at several companies, including McDonald’s, which rolled back its DEI policies recently.
However, critics like the Human Rights Campaign have labeled the anti-DEI crusade as a “coordinated campaign” driven by the same actors who have been pushing anti-LGBTQ+ legislative and legal attacks across the country. The HRC has also clarified that their Corporate Equality Index is not a coercive tool forcing businesses to adopt DEI policies, but rather a voluntary, widely respected benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
As the debate over DEI policies continues, it remains to be seen how Apple’s decision will impact the wider corporate landscape.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/01/13/apple-asks-shareholders-to-block-anti-dei-proposal-here-are-the-companies-ending-diversity-programs-full-list