Meta Ends Diversity Programs Amid Legal and Political Shifts

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced Friday that it is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing changes in the legal and policy landscape in the United States. The decision, effective immediately, was communicated to employees in a memo from Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice president of human resources.

The memo, obtained by CNN, stated that Meta will disband its DEI team, eliminate equity and inclusion training programs, and discontinue hiring practices aimed at increasing diversity. The company will also end its supplier diversity program, which focused on sourcing from minority-owned businesses. Instead, Meta plans to focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale wrote in the memo. She referenced recent Supreme Court decisions and the perception that DEI initiatives suggest preferential treatment for certain groups. Meta’s chief diversity officer, Maxine Williams, will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement.

The move comes amid broader shifts in corporate America, with companies like McDonald's, Walmart, and Ford also scaling back DEI initiatives. Critics argue that these programs have become politically charged, particularly in the wake of the 2024 presidential election and pressure from conservative groups.

Meta’s decision aligns with other recent policy changes, including the relaxation of content moderation rules on its platforms. Earlier this week, the company announced it would allow previously banned types of content, a move some critics say caters to right-leaning users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the changes during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, stating that the company’s mission is to “give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.”

Meta’s DEI programs had shown some success in increasing diversity within the company. According to its most recent diversity report, Meta doubled the number of Black and Hispanic employees in the U.S. two years ahead of schedule. However, the company will no longer set specific diversity goals or require managers to source candidates from underrepresented groups.

The decision has sparked criticism from advocates of workplace diversity, who argue that such initiatives are essential for addressing systemic inequities. “A team without Black creators designing a Black character like me is trying to draw a map without walking the land – inaccurate and disrespectful,” said Liv, a Black AI profile created by Meta, in a recent post.

Meta’s shift away from DEI programs reflects a broader trend in corporate America, where companies are increasingly navigating a polarized political environment. As the legal and cultural landscape continues to evolve, the future of diversity initiatives remains uncertain.