Thinking Out Loud: Going Beyond Performative Diversity

November 6, 2026 - 7:00 am

By Kevin P. Henry for Thinking Out Loud

November is Native American Heritage Month. We have an entire month to celebrate the contributions of Native Americans and provide a platform for their voices. 

But we should recognize and appreciate diversity throughout the year, not just on specific months.

I’ve worked in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 30 years. I have discovered that sometimes there is a check-the-box mentality when it comes to DEI. It can look like tokenism. In addition, it’s critical that businesses and organizations make tangible policy changes that have an impact and demonstrate the depth of their commitment.

Here’s one example:

As a Black DEI presenter, I have always been busiest in January and February. This is due to all the programs associated with the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month. After those months, the work slows down and then picks up in June for activities connected to Juneteenth.

Appreciating and living diversity is a lifestyle, a culture. What matters is that programs and events happen throughout the year. 

After the resounding blue wave victory in the midterms by the Dems, I am optimistic that they can stop the war on DEI the Trump administration started.

Trump’s war on DEI has created barriers to progress and led to the cancellation of employee programs and events and even the disbanding of employee affinity groups. In many cases, websites have been scrubbed clean of any references to diversity. In addition, across the nation, the history of people of color has been erased, censored, or diminished in some way. In its place is a disturbing narrative that downplays the contributions of racial minorities, exalts the country, and sanitizes American history.

So it’s time to decide. Are you going to be all in on diversity, equity, and inclusion, or are you just checking the box?