020. Evolving the role of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Professionals in 2021

According to a Washington Post article, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, jobs for diversity, equity and inclusion professionals plummeted by an estimated 60% in the US. As companies were bracing for an economic downturn, it was common to make tough decisions on what roles were critical vs. non-critical. However, no one could have imagined the shift in corporate views on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging until the summer of 2020 when social justice protests and global outcries due to the death of George Floyd. It sparked serious conversations on racial inequities in the workplace and society as a whole. Many companies made bold statements to support social justice but have fallen short of actionable plans.