Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, or DEIA, is facing headwinds, at the same time as the topics of localization, decolonization, and dismantling of white saviorism are gaining ground in global development. How can DEIA practitioners in the sector ensure that their area of expertise is prioritized rather than shelved in development initiatives’ program design, funding, and implementation?
The recent Supreme Court decision in the United States ending the use of race as a factor in university admissions was not a surprise to anyone paying attention to DEIA. For many people who work in DEIA or any community of practice whose focus is equity, it may have been a setback, but not a totally unexpected one.
We should not forget that at every moment in history when there has been a movement toward equity and justice, particularly when led by Black people, there has been a backlash to their progress, as institutions ultimately coalesced around reinforcing norms rooted in white supremacy.
About the author
Angela Bruce-Raeburn
Angela Bruce-Raeburn is the founder of DiverseDEV, a boutique consultancy established in 2018 following the very public scandals about racial discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct to focus on mission-driven institutions in the international aid and development communities. Previously, Bruce-Raeburn served as the regional advocacy director for Africa and Asia at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator where she focused on locally led advocacy for policy change in public health.
