Forging New Paths Toward Equity – Despite A Moment of Uncertainty

By Jennifer Godinez Jennifer Godinez is a Visioning Strategist at FutureGood. The whole social sector is experiencing a deep moment of uncertainty. Shifts in technology, funding opportunities, and strong political winds mean that nonprofits and foundations are often at a stand-still and nervous about what comes next. This hasn’t stopped institutions from following the changes in the law or leading courageously on diversity and equity in the social and business sector. Knowing it is the fair and just thing to do, the economically vital thing to do, and working alongside thought partners to forge new paths in our multiracial society. Yet, inequities in our social and economic lives persist and continue to grow. Just a review of housing and workforce data, indicators of economic strength, showcase the differences in how African Americans, as one community are experiencing this growth in inequality. According to the Joint Center for Political and Economic studies , “The near 30 percent disparity in homeownership between Black and white people has been consistent for generations. The latest Census Bureau data reports Black homeownership at 45 percent and white homeownership at 74 percent.” Data from the National Urban League shows that while the unemployment rate was at an all time low during the previous presidential administration, now, “…Black unemployment surged to 8.3% in November of 2025—the highest level since the pandemic—and remains more than twice the rate of white Americans.” As evident by those statistics and to quote a line from the song “Glory” with John Legend and Common, “Justice for all is just not specific enough!” At a time when we need to be surgical and use an equity lens and strategy to address widening economic and housing justice gaps, anti-DEI policies and anti-DEI narratives persist. I would argue, however, that while the terrain of diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and policy analysis has been severely challenged, more recent legal wins and courageous leadership examples around continuing DEI work in this era can assist the movement and make it possible for nonprofits, educational institutions and philanthropy to find creative and urgent strategy to address social inequities. While in 2025, education institutions received threatening “Dear Colleague” letters to restrict districts and higher education institutions from their use of diversity, equity and inclusion programming – In February of 2026, a U.S. District Court issued a final ruling permanently invalidating the directive and preventing government from enforcing, relying on it or reviving it, according to reporting by the National Education Association . You might wonder what the connections are between diversity and equity programming in education have on workforce or housing issues? Diversity, equity and inclusion programming that teaches the history of systemic racism and also shares lessons on understanding how communities can actually receive economic support is vital to reaching equitable policy and programming solutions to close gaps. It isn’t about blaming another group of people for inequities-- it is about understanding how systems and opportunities can be crafted to create pathways for either equal outcomes or unequal results. There have also been businesses and corporations and higher education institutions that continue to support their own diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, knowing that a diverse organization is necessary to the bottom line and to engage a diverse marketplace. In February of 2025, Delta corporation reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as did Costco . Higher education institutions have taken more cautious approaches to continue their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. While it may mean re-branding or other shifts, they forge a path with new strategy to receive strong outcomes. Two examples of this showcased in an article by online news source Prism are Indiana’s Purdue University that changed a senate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee to the “Community Connection Committee” and George Washington University in D.C. renamed their annual Diversity Summit to the “OneGW Community Summit.” And finally, in recent studies, Americans surveyed continue to find the principles of diversity and inclusion as vitally import to U.S. society – 82% of Americans support greater diversity and inclusion as statements on these values were shared for public opinion in a Fall 2024 study reported by Scientific Reports . Understanding your “why” of continuing diversity, equity and inclusion commitments, strategy and programs is key for institutions during this highly uncertain moment. Additionally, FutureGood, has top visioning strategists with backgrounds in diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and policy development who are also tracking the promising practices of