Key Democratic figures and community leaders demanded the removal of the state’s diversity chief last year following his controversial “DEI is dead” statement. In response, the General Assembly integrated provisions in its budget to reallocate resources from the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion to a loan program aiding licensed cannabis merchants until the term “equity” is reinstated in the office’s title by the approaching summer.
In January 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin modified the title of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to “opportunity” by means of an executive order, contrary to the state’s regulations. This decision triggered swift opposition from Democratic leaders.
Senator Mamie Locke from Hampton highlighted, “The law states diversity, equity, and inclusion.” The governor’s press office did not respond to requests for comment from the Virginia Mercury on this matter.
In his budget proposal unveiled in December, the governor allocated an approximate $2.6 million in funding over the next two years for the Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion sector, absorbed into the general fund for the governor’s office. In the event the governor opts against this proposal and instead approves the General Assembly’s suggestion – a budget amendment put forth by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell of Fairfax – by July 1, a sum of $3.6 million over the next two years will be dedicated to the office, with its title reverting to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
If the governor declines, the budget approved by the General Assembly will redirect the funds to the Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Fund.
As outlined by state law, this fund will extend no- and low-interest loans to eligible, licensed cannabis entrepreneurs to facilitate business ownership and economic advancement in communities that bore a disproportional impact due to cannabis prohibition in the state. Legislators emphasized the significance of such a fund and its potential contributions.
Senator Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and a key budget negotiator, stated, “We will utilize the funds. There’s no doubt about that.”
Janice Underwood, previously the director of diversity initiatives at Old Dominion University, was appointed by former Democratic Governor Ralph Northam in September 2019 as the first-ever director of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the state, a pioneering role nationally at the time.
In 2020, legislation was enacted to codify the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion position in the governor’s cabinet. According to this law, the DEI director is tasked with devising plans to promote inclusive practices within state governance and address systemic disparities in state policies. Additionally, the director is responsible for integrating feedback from state employees and other groups into equity-oriented policies.
The establishment of this position was part of the state’s response to racial inequality, notably highlighted by the killing of George Floyd and the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in Virginia. This move followed a controversy surrounding a photo from Northam’s 1984 yearbook depicting a person in blackface and another in Ku Klux Klan attire.
Since its establishment, three individuals have held the position of chief diversity officer.
Succeeding Underwood, Governor Youngkin appointed Angela Sailor in January 2022 and rebranded the office title to Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion early in his tenure. Sailor previously served as an executive at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation.
Martin Brown assumed the role after Sailor in November 2022, appointed by Youngkin and holding previous experience as the commissioner of the Department of Social Services.
Noteworthy actions by Brown include advocating legislation permitting the placement of historic signs identified in the Green Book and championing contentious alterations in the state’s history standards endorsed by the Board of Education.
However, Brown encountered substantial criticism for his remarks made during a speech at the Virginia Military Institute in April.
Last year, Democrats raised concerns regarding the governor’s adherence to the law following the title change of the position.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Jason Miayres, Senator Scott Surovell of Fairfax and Delegate Don Scott of Portsmouth pointed out discrepancies in the official state website’s nomenclature for this office, emphasizing that the mandated DEI title was not utilized.
In response, Miyares highlighted that if the governor ensures compliance with the state’s DEI office laws, he may appoint a Chief Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Officer within his cabinet to complement the duties of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The attorney general clarified that the term “equity” lacked a statutory definition.
As discussions between the governor and budget leaders progress, the governor holds the authority to approve, amend, or reject the DEI measures in the budget before legislators reconvene in Richmond on April 17.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, carried the budget amendment to restore the state’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion title.
