
In recent years, we’ve seen diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives dominate conversations in schools, workplaces, and nearly every part of public life. And while these efforts were meant to bring people together, the reality is they’ve often done the opposite. Instead of fostering collaboration and understanding, they’ve created more division—drawing hard lines between people, stoking resentment, and putting labels above shared values.
When I first heard about the rollback of DEI initiatives through Trump’s executive order, I thought, “Finally, a chance to pause and reassess what’s really working—and what’s not.” As someone who believes in the importance of diversity and inclusion, but also in accountability and common sense, this moment felt like an opportunity to redirect the conversation in a way that brings us closer together instead of pushing us further apart.
That’s one of the reasons I wrote Living Diversity: Reclaiming God’s Blueprint for a Transformed World.
Why DEI Missed the Mark
Let me be clear: wanting a diverse and inclusive society isn’t the issue. As a Black man who’s lived in both urban New England and suburban Minnesota, I’ve seen firsthand how much stronger communities can be when we embrace our differences with respect and grace. But here’s the thing—when DEI initiatives focus so much on dividing people into categories, they stop being about unity.
Too many programs emphasize what separates us instead of what we have in common.
They often come with a political agenda that overshadows core values like fairness, hard work, and mutual respect.
And sometimes, they create a culture where people are afraid to speak honestly for fear of saying the “wrong” thing.
That’s not unity—that’s chaos. And it’s not the kind of diversity that leads to real progress.
A Better Way Forward
In Living Diversity: Reclaiming God’s Blueprint for a Transformed World, I talk about how we can reclaim what true diversity and inclusion should look like. It starts with going back to the foundation of who we are as people, created by God, and recognizing that our worth doesn’t come from what group we belong to but from the fact that we are all made in His image.
True unity doesn’t come from policies or mandates. It comes from relationships. It comes from building trust. It comes from seeing each other as human beings first—not as a race, gender, or political affiliation.
What My Book Offers
This book isn’t just a critique of where DEI went wrong—it’s a roadmap for how we can do better. It’s about stepping away from the noise of cultural trends and finding timeless solutions rooted in faith, family, and community.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
Biblical Principles for Unity: How God’s Word offers a framework for embracing diversity in a way that uplifts everyone, not just certain groups.
Practical Steps for Healing Divisions: Whether it’s in your family, church, or workplace, I share tools to help bridge gaps and build stronger relationships.
Equipping the Next Generation: As a father, I know how important it is to give our kids the tools to navigate a divided world with both conviction and compassion.
This isn’t about abandoning diversity. It’s about reclaiming it—making it something that truly reflects the beauty of God’s creation, not a political buzzword.
Why This Matters
For me, this isn’t just a policy issue—it’s personal. I’ve lived in communities where division was the norm, and I’ve seen what happens when people decide to come together instead. I’ve worked with families and kids who feel left behind by the very systems that were supposed to help them. And as a Christian, I believe we’re called to something higher.
We don’t need more programs telling us how different we are. We need leaders and community members willing to say, “Let’s sit down. Let’s talk. Let’s work this out together.”
That’s the heart of my book—and it’s the kind of leadership I hope to see more of in our schools, workplaces, and communities.
A Call to Action
The rollback of DEI initiatives isn’t the end of the conversation—it’s the beginning of a better one. It’s a chance to move beyond performative gestures and embrace solutions that are rooted in truth, grace, and genuine collaboration.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to check out Living Diversity: Reclaiming God’s Blueprint for a Transformed World. Together, we can build something better—something that lasts.
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