Musings on the state of DEI—and a goodbye

One of the most oft-repeated phrases I hear from DEI practitioners is a warning against siloing DEI work. To meaningfully move the needle, diversity and inclusion require organization-wide backing from the C-suite to the entry level, they’ve often told me. Such a responsibility should not fall to just one person or just one team.

That thinking is partly why today’s newsletter will be the final issue of raceAhead. For years, raceAhead has highlighted the myriad problems facing historically underrepresented folks, their wins, successes, and firsts, and the private sector progress on DEI, as well as its regression. Fortune will continue to do so, but this time, across all of its coverage areas. Just as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite functions are expected to pick up the mantle of promoting equitable access, so, too, should diverse voices be featured across all journalistic offerings, not just one newsletter.

The end of raceAhead presents a reflective moment for me. Charting the upswell in support for racial equity, followed by the swift pullback, has been eye-opening—but mark my words, this is not the end. The cycle of progress and regression will continue, and DEI heads and advocates must be ready to engage each time it begins anew.

Fortune’s motto is to make business better. I firmly believe raceAhead has not only contributed to this mission but also significantly advanced the discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate America. Thank you for reading and please continue to send me your tips and thoughts.

Tangentially, I’m taking on a new role as the editor of Fortune Next to Lead, targeting the next generation of C-suite leaders. These future CEOs will need to develop a robust slate of skills and competencies to effectively navigate the new era of business and the many expectations that now befall them, from sustainability to DEI. They must also be able to lead an increasingly diverse and global workforce.

You can sign up for the weekly Next to Lead newsletter here. It hits inboxes every Monday. Later in the year, Fortune will release a ranking of 50 fast-rising executives who appear primed to one day lead the Fortune 500. To be considered for the Fortune Next to Lead 50 list, complete the submission form or email nexttolead@fortune.com.

Ruth Umoh

ruth.umoh@fortune.com

Dumping DEI. Tractor Supply’s DEI backtrack to appease right-wing critics has sparked outcry and could fracture its surprisingly diverse “exurban” customer base. Fortune

Fearful funds. A recent court decision to halt a Black-owned venture capitalist’s fund for women-of-color-led businesses has had a chilling effect on diversity-focused VC funds. Reuters

Black jobs. Donald Trump accused immigrants of stealing “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs” during Thursday’s debate, sparking derision from Democrats and other social media users. NYT

Lone star. Texas added more Hispanic, Asian, and Black residents than any other state last year. Houston added the most Hispanic residents and Dallas the most Asian and Black residents. AP

The Big Think

Under the decadeslong run of Klaus Schwab, the octogenarian founder of the World Economic Forum, a workplace that’s hostile to women and Black people has allegedly been allowed to fester, according to the Wall Street Journal. Among the accusations: white Forum managers using the N-word around Black employees and the routine objectification and sexualization of women.

“Black employees who have worked at the Forum described being passed over for promotions, excluded from the marquee annual event at Davos and incidents of managers who made comments ranging from tone-deaf to outright racist,” writes the Journal.

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