10 Things You Might’ve Missed
*The views expressed in these article roundups are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Who We Are Project. This content is shared for educational purposes to encourage thoughtful dialogue and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement.*
1. Much of the Black middle class was built by federal jobs. That may change. | NBC News
The federal government has for decades hired Black Americans at a higher rate than private employers, providing “both reliable jobs and guardrails to offset systemic racial bias in hiring and promotions”, but because of the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency that progress is set for a major reversal. The Department of Education alone has had to let 74 of their workers go so far, 60 of whom are Black. According to a 2024 report, 30% of their department employees are Black.
2. How Trump Twisted DEI to Only Benefit White Christians | The Intercept
Jessica Washington for The Intercept argues how DEI has not gone away, the right has just now co-opted it for white Christians.
3. US Launches 'End DEI' Portal for Public Complaints About Diversity in Schools | US News
The Department of Education just yesterday published an “End DEI” portal for parents, students, teachers, and community members to submit reports on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public schools.
4. What My Black Mother’s Involuntary Sterilization in 1965 Reveals About America Today | Mother Jones
This article by Catherine Coleman Flowers is adapted from her 2025 book Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice, and Finding Hope. Coleman Flowers recounts her personal connection to the horrific American trend of forced sterilization of Black women and comments on the disturbing connection it has to a post-Dobbs country.
5. How a Black Utopia For Formerly Enslaved People Became a Wealthy White Enclave | Mother Jones
Mother Jones highlights the tragic story of the once thriving Black community of Skidaway Island, Georgia where dozens of freed formerly enslaved people had their land stolen from them by our federal government.
6. Judge blocks Trump administration from terminating DEI-related grants | NBC NewsU.S. District Judge Adam Abelson has ruled that the Trump administration cannot require that federal contractors or grant recipients “certify that they do not engage in any ‘equity-related’ programs” as the term is too vague to implement.
7. Civil rights groups sue Trump over anti-DEIA executive orders | NBC News
The National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and AIDS Foundation Chicago have banded together to file a federal lawsuit against president Trump’s executive orders last Wednesday, citing that the orders “violate their free speech rights and hinder their ability to help marginalized communities.
8. Target backtracking its DEI efforts backfired. Store traffic dropped nearly 10% after the company’s move to conclude its diversity-related goals and initiatives | Fortune
In the month since Target announced they were to reverse their DEI efforts they have already begun to feel the effects as foot traffic in their stores has gone down 10%.
9. As Black History Month faces federal pushback, these authors see read-ins as more critical than ever | NPR
Since 1990, the National African American Read-In has been an important event to highlight Black authors and Black stories, and the National Council of Teachers of English see their event as an essential avenue for joy and community.
10. This Black History Month, we're highlighting stories from community changemakers | NPR
NPR highlights five Black people that are making Black history right now in their communities, as Black history is American history and it is made every day.