Why Diversity is Important

A government representative of its people is better run, more meritocratic, and helps achieve equity. It creates and implements more inclusive policies and elevates a diverse set of role models. Leaders from diverse backgrounds often develop more creative insights, proffer alternative and comprehensive solutions and thus make decisions that better serve the American people. 

We believe Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Government is important because it leads to… :

A Representative Democracy

By 2040, the United States of America 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. The current make-up of our government does not reflect the nation’s current or growing diversity, and also fails to fulfill our founding fathers’ constitutional promise of a nation that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

We are dedicated to leveling the playing field and advocating for a more representative democracy.

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Increased Productivity  

Numerous studies have shown that inclusive workplaces significantly outperform well-managed, homogeneous workplaces over time. Individuals are more committed, innovative, loyal, but most importantly, are more comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives. Diversity is a strength and when these differences are embraced, can encourage better results.  

We are therefore committed to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in government as a means of establishing a more productive work environment. 

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Higher Levels of Political Efficacy

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in government leads to an overall increase of political efficacy. Political efficacy is the belief that one’s civic participation leads to meaningful social change, further stabilizing our democratic processes. In fact, higher levels of efficacy correlates to an increase of voter turnout. According to the PEW Research Center’s 2016 Voter Analysis, nearly 35% of registered American non-voters “disliked candidates or campaign issues” or felt that their “vote wouldn’t make a difference.”

We are passionate about addressing this discrepancy and eliminating voter apathy.

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A More Moral and More Trustworthy Democracy 

Employment policies that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion are instrumental in attaining the goal of a just and effective Federal Government, and reflect the Federal Government’s responsibility, as the Nation’s largest employer, to lead by example. 

Furthermore, diversifying the pool of leaders will allow unique experiences, opinions and perspectives on critical issues and will thus help enhance our government’s ability to serve the needs of its entire population, especially historically disenfranchised communities. 

The public will support and abide by these policies when they see people like them making the decisions. They will feel represented and trust that the Federal Government is considering and implementing the necessary steps to fulfill the people’s best interest. No one knows the needs of a community better than the people in it. The inclusion of underrepresented perspectives brings emphasis on addressing issues impacting vulnerable communities which often benefits all of society, socially and economically.

We believe in the Nation’s desire and need to have a just and representative Federal Government and are dedicated to pushing for a Federal Government that looks like America. Emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion within the government is integral in benefitting the welfare of their people.

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A Legally Compliant Workplace

The Federal Government must, by law and in pursuit of our national ideals, “endeavor to achieve a work force from all segments of society” (5 U.S.C. 2301(b)(1)). To safeguard the Nation’s foundational value of representative democracy, the Federal Government must commit itself to diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of employment. By necessity, this commitment must be woven into the fabric of Federal recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotion.

We are dedicated to ensuring that the Nation’s government runs as it is meant to, representing our society. 

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Here are examples of departments and agencies mentioning their approach on embracing diversity and its benefits toward the people in their equity snapshots:

“Advancing equity requires a qualified and diverse workforce that is representative of the communities that it serves …”

“NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has been working to develop long-term relationships with new, diverse partners, better reflect the diversity of the nation, and enable greater participation by underrepresented groups in agency efforts.”

“The Peace Corps’ mission of world peace and friendship, and its approach to achieving this mission, requires a diverse Corps to model how individuals from diverse backgrounds can unite to address important and challenging goals.”

“Advancing equity rests on the presumption of equal opportunities and protection under the law. As noted in the Executive Order, government programs are designed to serve all eligible individuals” 

“The Executive Order reaffirms that the United States (U.S.) is at its strongest when our Nation’s workforce reflects the communities it serves, and when our public servants are fully equipped to advance equitable outcomes for all American communities.”

“As the Nation’s largest employer, the federal workforce must be our country’s model of excellence for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Meeting this mandate requires all of us – public servants at all levels of every agency – to contribute to  advancing DEIA in the federal workforce.”

“Strengthening the federal workforce by promoting DEIA is a cross-functional priority that must leverage the efforts, capabilities, and resources of the whole agency. DEIA should be reflected in the norms and values of each agency. DEIA is not an add-on or separate program, but rather a priority that must be integrated into and across agency functions and embedded into agency culture. This framework ensures DEIA is further incorporated into organizational planning documents, including an agency’s budget, learning agenda and annual evaluation plan, regulatory agenda, performance planning, human capital operating plan, and overall strategic plan.”