Workshop | From Fear to Fortitude: Advancing DEI Amid Legal and Political Uncertainty

This workshop supports public sector professionals and officials in navigating and sustaining their DEI programs amid shifting legal and political landscapes. In response to recent federal executive orders, many organizations face uncertainty about how to continue their equity commitments without risking noncompliance or funding loss. Some have felt pressure to scale back their programs preemptively, potentially leading to harmful unintended consequences for the communities they serve.

Participants will build confidence in moving past fear by gaining clarity on the executive orders in question and how they relate to federal civil rights law. The session will cover how compliance is assessed by federal agencies and guide participants through an evaluation of their own agency’s situation - including its reliance on federal funding, risk of noncompliance, and potential impact on delivering their organization’s services.

Finally, the workshop will offer strategic options to preserve the integrity of DEI work while reducing legal and funding vulnerabilities. Participants will leave with a clearer legal landscape, increased confidence in evaluating their organization’s risk, and actionable strategies to protect their equity programs.

Barry Johnson-Smith is a DEI consultant with over 8 years of experience developing and facilitating workshops for a diverse range of organizations including educational institutes, hospitals, political parties, non-profits, and business networks. His workshops have catered to audiences ranging from small teams of 10 to large conferences with over 100 participants. Barry employs a stakeholder-centered approach, collaborating with organization members to curate DEI content that resonates with their specific needs. His workshops are interactive, incorporating activities that enable participants to apply the learned content within their organizations. Topics Barry has facilitated include allyship, implicit bias, bystander intervention, healthy conflict resolution, power imbalance, and institutional accountability.

Learn more about Barry and his work at bjsdeiconsulting.com