93% of the People running our Federal Government are White. 80% are Men.
A New Pledge Demands Future Politicians to Change that.
Washington, D.C., October 20, 2020: Today marks the launch of Inclusive America’s #PledgeForDiversity Campaign — a bipartisan campaign demanding current and future political candidates to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority for government personnel at every level. Several candidates have already taken the Pledge.
By 2040, the United States will be a minority-majority country. Yet, in 2018, 93% of the people running the federal government were white, and 80% of them were men. At a time when public trust in government is near historic lows, it is crucial for the people who lead the government to reflect and share the experiences of the people they represent. To address this severe underrepresentation, Inclusive America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission to help make the government as diverse as the people of the United States, is launching the #PledgeForDiversity campaign.
The Pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, would commit the President and all United States Senators to four meaningful actions:
1. Appoint a national Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer;
2. Support transparency of demographic data in recruitment, promotion, and retention of civil servants and political appointees;
3. Adopt an inclusion rule for hiring and promotion to ensure a diverse pool of candidates;
4. Enforce policies against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to ensure all government employees have a safe, respectful, and inclusive space in which to work for the benefit of the American people.
To date, the #PledgeForDiversity campaign has garnered the bipartisan support of 100+ national organizations, 70+ Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and Senior Officials, and 20+ Retired General/Admirals. This coalition includes the National Urban League, Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, Stand Up Republic, EMILY’s List, and Center for American Progress. The Campaign is endorsed by former Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisors, Directors of the Domestic Policy Council, Congressional Members, and high-ranking Military Officials from the Clinton, Bush, and Obama Administrations, including former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and John Kerry, along with Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel and Leon Panetta.
Candidates have already taken the Pledge. They include Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), second highest ranking among Senate Democrats, Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CO) , Al Gross (I-AL), Amy McGrath (D-KY), Jaime Harrison (D-SC), Merav Ben-David (D-WY) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).
Leon Panetta, Obama’s former Secretary of Defense and Clinton’s Chief of Staff, has extended his support, stating, “As the largest employer in the world, our federal government cannot afford to have leaders that all look and think the same. I support the Pledge for Diversity campaign because our nation was founded on the principle of unity, not despite our varying backgrounds, but specifically because of it.” Inclusive America Co-founder and former White House Fellow Mark Hanis adds, “The status quo must change. If we are going to claim to be a representative democracy, then our government must represent the interests and experiences of all of our communities.”
To read the full Pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and to watch each candidates’ video, go to www.PledgeForDiversity.org.
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More quotes from a few Endorsers and Partner Organizations can be found below:
“As the only woman ever to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, I had the opportunity to lead one of the country’s most diverse agencies. Women have proven to be effective policy makers and leaders. I am proud to join Inclusive America’s effort in tackling gender inequality in government and working to engage and promote women.”
Ann M. Veneman, former Secretary of Agriculture
“Our existing diversity approaches can only do so much; we must foster an inclusive space for all perspectives. I’m supporting the Pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion campaign, and challenging others to advocate for people who do not look like them.”
Vincent Stewart, Lieutenant General (Retired), US Marine Corps
“I support the #PledgeForDiversity Campaign because America is strongest when the civilians and uniformed military of our armed forces mirror the diversity of our country and when our country sees the best of itself reflected in our military.”
Eric Fanning, former Secretary of the Army
“The fight for equity continues to this day. As a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, I support Inclusive America’s initiative to hold our leaders accountable to address the severe underrepresentation of marginalized people.”
Judy Heumann, former Special Advisor on International Disability Rights for the US Department of State
“We are proud to join Inclusive America’s #PledgeForDiversity campaign. A just and inclusive democracy is not just an ideal, but an absolutely necessity in order to rightfully serve all of our communities. Our diversity is one of our nation’s strongest assets.”
Vanita Gupta, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
“A diverse American government can best serve a diverse America – and best represent us abroad. This is a great initiative!”
Tony Lake, former National Security Advisor
“Minorities are severely under-represented within government and there is room for more faces that accurately represent our nation. I support the Pledge for Diversity.”
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, former US Representative
“Inclusive America’s mission to diversify our government aligns with the Muslim Public Affair Council’s values of justice and equality for all. We hope that all of our current political candidates believe in this as well, and commit to #PledgeForDiversity.”
Salam Al-Maryati, President of Muslim Public Affairs Council
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Inclusive America is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that will help make the government as diverse as the people of the United States.
Contact Us
To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. For media/press inquiries, contact us at: +1 (202) 713-9694 or email info@inclusiveamerica.org.