Most Black Americans agree — acronyms aren’t essential to advancement. But dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs cannot sideline Black America from economic opportunity.

Let’s be clear: hiring a Black person is not DEI. And efforts that facilitate Black job seekers’ pathways to prosperity are not necessarily DEI, either.

This is not a choice between DEI and Black economic advancement. Black America, along with smart leaders across industries and political affiliations, understands that a strong economy where Black people thrive is a necessity, not a debate. Without prosperity, social mobility is impossible.

Much like affirmative action before it, DEI had merit at its inception. It was intended to open doors for those historically locked out of pathways to success. But it is undeniable how often the execution — especially in the hands of activists and academics — strayed from its original intent. A framework meant to foster inclusion frequently had the opposite effect.

Efforts to improve representation became politicized, weaponized, divisive and misguided. And in many cases, these missteps did not come from Black Americans but from white progressive elites who turned DEI into a........

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