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Forbes
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Real History Behind DEI And Workplace Equity In America
The fight over DEI didn't begin in boardrooms or HR departments. It has roots in slavery, segregation, and the long push to open up good jobs to Black Americans. From wartime labor policy to federal hiring mandates, every wave of change shaped how companies hire and promote. Today's backlash is just the latest chapter. This essay is part of Vanilla is Black, my newsletter about race, business, and American contradictions. If you like this kind of history with teeth, subscribe for more. Young Adult Man receiving training in arc welding, National Youth Administration (NYA) Work Center, ... More Brooklyn, New York, USA, Fritz Henle, U.S. Office of War Information/U.S. Farm Security Administration, August 1942. (Photo by: Circa Images/GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) PRE-Modern Black American Labor But before we go back, let's look at skilled labor to frame things: Construction is one of the largest sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black workers are about 6% of the construction workforce, despite being 12% of the total US labor force. (I use this industry because it's ridiculous to suggest that Black people are LESS skilled by half at plumbing, carpentry etc.) Before the end of slavery, Blacks were a large part (in many states, the largest) of the skilled labor workforce, think carpenters, plumbers, masons, blacksmiths, etc. They were often the entirety of the service economy (waiters, cooks, barbers, etc). Meanwhile, Blacks were effectively prohibited from professions such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers. With the end of slavery, Black worker slowly began to lose their footing in skilled labor. For example, during slavery, the blacksmith profession was largely a Black profession. By 1900, African Americans were essentially excluded from the job of blacksmith and were being excluded from skilled trades. Trouble With Woodrow circa 1916: Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924) the 28th President of the United States of America. ... More (Photo by Topical) President Woodrow Wilson was known for being a white supremacist. Remember, he screened Birth of a Nation, the violently racist film that revived the Klu Klux Klan. Wilson's administration marked the most significant regression in progress for Black Americans. Shortly after taking office, Wilson implemented racial segregation across federal agencies. Black employees had previously worked side by side their white colleagues. With Wilson Black folk were divided into separate offices, restrooms, and cafeterias. He also fired and demoted Black workers. When Black leaders protested, Wilson defended his segregation rules as a way to reduce workplace "friction." Wilson rejected accusations of discrimination. He argued that segregating the federal government would improve efficiency. NEW DEAL , Raw Deals, and the precursor to Affirmative Action (Original Caption) 2/10/1948-Washington, D.C.: Negro leaders confer with House Speaker Joseph Martin ... More (R-MA) in an effort to remove Jim Crow restrictions from the Universal Military Training bill. The negroes are all members of Committee training. Left to right are Bill Worthy, Jr., committee member; Philip Randolph, Treasurer; Martin; Albert Black, Washington Chairman of committee and Joseph H. B. Evans, YMCA Secretary and committee member. ORIGINAL CAPTION President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs provided some economic relief to Black folk during the Great Depression. However, he segregated programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corp work camps, keep domestic and agricultural workers from getting Social Security benefits. FDR is a double-edged sword for Black empowerment. FDR signed Executive Order 8802 which explicitly banned worker discrimination. "There shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin." This executive order is seen as the precursor to later affirmative action policies. It's one of the first times the federal government acknowledged employment discrimination. Roosevelt's successor Harry Truman would desegregate the army, using an executive order. Black labor leaders had become increasingly powerful during Roosevelt's administration, and leader like A. Philip Randolph, leader of the Pullman Porters Union, increased their political muscle under Roosevelt and Truman. JFK Coins Affirmative Action Civil rights leaders meet with U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Oval Office, White House, after the ... More March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Washington, D.C., USA, photograph by Warren K. Leffler, August 28, 1963. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Affirmative action as we know it today began when President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925. The order instructed federal contractors to "take affirmative action" to ensure employment practices were free from racial discrimination. This was the first time the phrase "affirmative action" appeared in U.S. policy. "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin." —John F. Kennedy Executive Order 10925 At the time, the term didn't imply much except that Kennedy actually wanted contractors to DO SOMETHING. This was before the idea of quotas or race-based preferences. The administration was trying to make a real proactive effort to remove barriers to fair hiring. The affirmative part is important because the administration was trying to prevent discrimination as opposed to punishing discrimination after the fact. That was new. 'take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin." Affirmative action meant government contractors were required to actively review, improve, and enforce non-discriminatory hiring practices. The policy which Kennedy implemented in his first 100 days. Kennedy established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, led by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. This committee was supposed to ensure that federal agencies and contractors followed through on recruiting, hiring, and promoting workers without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. LYNDON and DICK Prove Effective Lyndon B. Johnson shows up in the history of DEI and Affirmative Action, playing a key role in making it a part of federal policy. The policy had meaning. His Executive Order 11246 used the key phrase "take affirmative action" and called on contractors to ensure employees are treated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Johnson added sex. His 1965 commencement speech at Howard University (aside from his resignation speech, probably his most iconic). "You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race, and then say, 'You are free to compete with all the others,' and still justly believe that you have been completely fair." While Johnson's successor is known for his Southern strategy, Richard Milhouse Nixon was an amazing pragmatic and effective when it came to affirmative action. In 1969, Nixon's administration created the Philadelphia Plan. It required government (Original Caption) Roy Wilkins, Executive Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement ... More of Colored People (NAACP) meets with President Richard M. Nixon at the White House here. Wilkins is the first Negro leader to meet with the new President. contractors in Philadelphia to hire minority workers under specific goals and timetables. This was the first real use of numerical targets to address discrimination in employment. Nixon's approach though had levels. It promoted workplace diversity. It also was meant to weaken the power of labor unions that were resisting an integrated workplace. Nixon might be the high water mark for affirmative action beyond the federal government. I don't want affirmative action - too much affirmative, not enough action. Importantly, as Sarah Gonzalez and I reported in one of my favorite Planet Money episodes, it was the 70s that women were entering the office work en masse, and advocating for union for office workers. From Affirmative Action to DEI: Navigating the Backlash By the 1980s and 1990s, affirmative action the policy was under attack, by critics for leading to 'reverse discrimination'. In 1996, California passed Proposition 209. It banned public institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity in hiring and education. Similar laws followed in other states. This is when civil rights and labor organizations began looking for alternative ways to promote diversity. I students carry a coffin to symbolize the death of diversity, during a ... More march at UCI to protest proposition 209. Fifteen students marched around the UCI campus for about one hour. A rally against prop 209 was held after the march in which about 75 people attended . At the California University at Irvine , Irvine. Reporter:TBA (Photo by Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) t was in this time that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) started gaining traction. Unlike affirmative action, which often focused on numbers, how many factory foremen are women for instance. DEI tried creating inclusive cultures where diverse perspectives are valued. Instead of race-based hiring or admissions policies, DEI tried to ensure fairness and foster belonging. Companies began establishing DEI programs, hiring Chief Diversity Officers, and launching training on unconscious bias and inclusive leadership. This was supposed to be more about legal compliance with anti-discrimination but to address systemic inequities and build workplaces where everyone has an equal chance to succeed. DEI has changed how companies and institutions approach the idea of diversity. It turns out as research suggests that white women have been the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action and DEI efforts. The policies aimed at increasing diversity in hiring and promotions have disproportionately helped women, particularly white women, gain access to leadership roles and higher-paying jobs. Despite these efforts, Black professionals still face barriers detailed in Breaking Barriers And Achieving Equality For Black Workers 'I regard affirmative action as pernicious, a system that had wonderful ideals when it started but was almost immediately abused for the benefit of white middle-class women.' For Black Americans, the impact of DEI has been far less meaningful. Black professionals remain underrepresented in executive leadership, boardrooms, and high-paying industries like tech and finance. The wage gap between Black and white workers has widened. Many companies despite DEI have done little to break down structural barriers Black employees face. Whether it's construction trades that are less diverse in 2025 than 1915 or vast industries such as finance, and media remain locked to Black folk. Black male economics reporters seem rarer than the doo-doo Labor & Economic Rights: A Historical Timeline 1619-1865: Enslavement & Early Struggles for Employment Stereoscopic image showing a young boy with three men in the background, standing in a cotton field ... More with sacks for gathering picked cotton, United States, 1892. (Photo by Benjamin W. Kilburn/Graphic House/) 1866-1940s: Early Legal Protections & Labor Organizing New Orleans, LA - USA - 03-22-2024: Sign commemorating site of Homer Plessy boarding a train that ... More prompted the landmark Plessy v Ferguson court decision 1930s-1940s: The New Deal introduces early workplace rights, though Black workers face discrimination in employment programs. 1950s-1970s: Civil Rights & Workplace Equality The Civil Rights Act of being enacted by President Lyndon Johnson, July 2, 1964. Civil rights ... More legislation in the United States, that outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) 1980s-Present: Struggles & Opposition NEW YORK, NY - MAY 11: Steve Forbes and Lilly Ledbetter attend the 2016 Forbes Women's Summit - ... More Opening Reception on May 11, 2016 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage) To read more reporting like this, subscribe to my newsletter Vanilla is Black, where I write about race, economics, and power in America.
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Kyle Adamski Calls for Skilled Trades Awareness Amid Industry Labor Shortage
Ottawa builder and Bellissimo Construction owner urges hands-on action to close the construction skills gap With a booming housing market, aging infrastructure, and extreme weather placing strain on homes across Ontario, one critical issue threatens to slow it all down: a shortage of skilled tradespeople. Kyle Adamski, owner of Bellissimo Construction and partnered with Bellissimo Roofing, is using his growing platform to spotlight the urgent need for more trained workers in the construction industry. 'We need to stop treating trades as a backup plan,' says Adamski. 'It's real work, and it's valuable. Not everyone has to sit at a desk to build something meaningful.' Adamski, recently featured in an exclusive online interview titled 'Kyle Adamski: From Ottawa Roots to Construction Leadership', knows firsthand what it means to build from the ground up—literally. His work spans full home rebuilds, basement renovations, roofing systems from shingle to slate, and structural exterior work like concrete, fascia, and siding. Through it all, he's remained hands-on. But he's increasingly concerned that fewer young people are being exposed to careers in trades. An Industry at Risk According to a 2023 report from BuildForce Canada, the country is on track to lose over 259,000 construction workers to retirement by 2030. Ontario alone will need more than 100,000 new workers to keep pace with demand. At the same time, many high schools are seeing a drop in students enrolling in shop, woodworking, or co-op programs. 'There wasn't a big moment that led me into this work,' Adamski says. 'I liked using my hands. I liked finishing a job and seeing something real. We need to give more people that chance early on.' He adds that lack of exposure is part of the problem. 'Too many people think construction is just swinging a hammer. But it's about managing timelines, making smart decisions, and leading teams. It's problem solving every day.' What You Can Do Rather than call for sweeping policy changes, Adamski is urging individuals to start local. His call to action is simple: get involved, get curious, and get your hands dirty. 'Volunteer on a build site. Fix something in your home. Ask a tradesperson about what they do. If you're a parent or teacher, introduce the trades early,' he says. 'You don't need a campaign—just a conversation.' He also encourages contractors to open doors for apprenticeships, no matter how busy things get. 'If I didn't have someone show me the ropes early on, I wouldn't be here,' Adamski says. About Kyle Adamski: Kyle Adamski is the owner and operator of Bellissimo Construction, based in Ottawa. Specializing in interior and exterior residential work—from roofing to basements—Kyle is known for his practical leadership and commitment to quality craftsmanship. He is also partnered with Bellissimo Roofing, offering advanced roofing solutions across every major system. His recent interview highlights his journey, work ethic, and focus on trade advocacy. To read the full interview, click here. Media Contact Contact Person: Kyle Adamski Email: Send Email City: Ottawa State: Ontario Country: Canada Website:
CTV News
16-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Jill of All Trades' event at Northern College aims to attract young women to enter skilled trades programs
Northern College's first 'Jill of All Trades' event in Timmins exposed 130+ young women to skilled trades to combat labour shortages.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The jobs that pay $100k without a college degree... including one in serious demand
As college gets more expensive and white-collar jobs become harder to land, more young Americans are skipping the six-figure student debt — and earning just as much without a degree. Ironically, the shift is being driven by too many people going to college. That flood of degrees has created a growing imbalance: too many graduates, and not enough workers trained for essential skilled careers that don't require a four-year degree. As a result, companies are boosting salaries for roles that require hands-on training instead of academic credentials. These include traditional trades like plumbing and electrical work, as well as specialized professions like lift mechanics and commercial pilots. One example is commercial pilots. There's a nationwide shortage of them, and the demand for pilots keeps growing — for things like charter flights, firefighting, and rescue missions. That's why the average salary is $113,000, and some earn up to $239,000. Another example is air traffic controllers. It's a stressful and important job that takes special training. Since few people are qualified, the average salary is $179,000. Even in tech, a degree isn't always required. Web developers and digital designers are in demand across industries. If you can code or design, you can earn a strong salary — without spending four years in college. The median pay for these roles is just under $100,000 but top pay can far exceed that at around $176,000, according to the careers site. As these jobs don't require formal education achievements the best way to land the best-paying gigs is to have a strong portfolio of past work and good references. Becoming a special effects animator can also pay six figures and does not require a college degree. Although many animators and digital artists do choose to complete a short specialized diploma in the field, it is not a strict criteria. Some of the best-paying animator jobs can earn workers around $170,000, according to Trade Schools. Other six-figure jobs include roles that many high schoolers may not have even considered. Elevator and escalator installers earn just over $100,000 on average, Fortune reported. This niche job is the highest-paid trade job in the country, according to 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the conditions of such a trade can be tough with long hours often at great heights and in confined spaces. There are also relatively few roles, with around 2,100 job openings each year, according to the Bureau. Mike Rowe, the CEO of MikeRoweWorks Foundation, has dedicated his organization to changing the perception of skilled labor jobs and help encourage young people to take up a trade. Rowe's Foundation offers scholarships to help train people in skilled jobs that are facing employment shortages. 'We're redefining a good education and a good job, because we don't think a four-year degree is the best path for the most people,' Rowe wrote on his website. 'Blue-collar jobs are a straight path to a six-figure job,' Rowe told Fortune magazine. Meanwhile, a CEO recently revealed the one crucial question he asks every candidate during job interviews. Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), asks applicants how soon they could start their new role. If they say they can start in less than two weeks 'they don't get the job, because they'll treat us the way they treat that former employer,' the 68-year-old explained.
Wall Street Journal
07-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The High-School Juniors With $70,000-a-Year Job Offers
PHILADELPHIA—Elijah Rios won't graduate from high school until next year, but he already has a job offer—one that pays $68,000 a year. Rios, 17 years old, is a junior taking welding classes at Father Judge, a Catholic high school in Philadelphia that works closely with companies looking for workers in the skilled trades. Employers are dealing with a shortage of such workers as baby boomers retire. They have increasingly begun courting high-school students like Rios—a hiring strategy they say is likely to become even more crucial in the coming years.
