Apple rejects shareholder proposal to dismantle DEI programs
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Tech giant Apple Inc. is pushing back against a proposal from the conservative think tank, National Center for Public Policy Research, to cut back on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
In a recent proxy filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple urged shareholders to vote against the proposal, set to be discussed at the company’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting on February 25. The proposal demands Apple to “cease DEI efforts,” labeling the company’s DEI measures as inappropriate micromanagement of its business operations.
A year of boycotts and legal battles
Several high-profile companies retreated from their DEI commitments in 2024. Walmart, Lowe’s, Ford, and Toyota all reduced their DEI programs following social media campaigns led by influencers like Robby Starbuck. This shift came despite widespread corporate pledges to support diversity efforts following the 2020 social justice movement sparked by George Floyd’s death.
Apple’s strategic defense of DEI programs
Apple maintains that its DEI initiatives are aligned with its status as an equal opportunity employer, adhering to non-discrimination laws across the U.S. and other jurisdictions. The company asserts that the proposal “inappropriately seeks to micromanage the Company’s programs and policies by suggesting a specific means of legal compliance.”
This stance reflects a broader trend where firms like Costco have also rejected similar DEI-related shareholder proposals, arguing that these efforts are crucial for comprehensive legal compliance and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Corporate response to anti-diversity pressure
As we enter 2025, the future of DEI remains uncertain, with both supporters and detractors gearing up for continued debate.
“The rhetoric around banning DEI programs in corporate and academic settings, especially in the context of the broader political climate, often ignores the reality that such programs are designed not to ‘lower standards’ but to raise them by ensuring that everyone — regardless of background — has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed,” said Nika White, a DEI specialist.
Despite the challenges, many companies and individuals continue to support DEI initiatives. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase Bank, maintained his commitment to DEI while describing himself as a “full-throated, red-blooded, patriotic, ‘unwoke,’ capitalist CEO.”
Mark Cuban, former owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, emphasized that having a diverse workforce is “good for business.”
Some organizations have rebranded their DEI efforts as “inclusion and belonging” to avoid backlash. Bill Townsend, CEO of College Rover, suggested that “diversity and inclusivity” may be less confrontational terms.
