10,000 Black Interns reposted this
I know, I know - the 2025 Grammys have been and gone. But Alicia Keys’ speech that night? That wasn’t just a moment, it was a message. “DEI is not a threat. It’s a gift.” She said it with conviction, because it’s true. Yet, somehow, we’re still debating whether diversity, equity, and inclusion should exist - as if fairness is optional, as if representation is a passing trend. The way some people talk, you’d think DEI was some radical new concept tipping the scales. It’s not. It’s been shaping workplaces since the Civil Rights Movement, before it had a catchy acronym. DEI was never about giving one group a shortcut. It’s about making sure nobody gets shut out. It’s not charity. It’s not a threat. It’s a correction to decades (actually, centuries) of exclusion. And the data backs it up. Diverse teams drive innovation. Inclusive businesses perform better. But when the playing field starts levelling, suddenly, some people cry foul. Here’s the truth: if you’ve never needed DEI, you have the privilege of ignoring it. But for many of us, it’s not a “nice to have.” It’s the difference between being seen or invisible, mentored or ignored, promoted or passed over. People love to act like the DEI conversation is overplayed. It’s not. Marginalised people don’t get the luxury of “moving on.” What Alicia Keys said wasn’t new, but it was necessary. DEI isn’t a handout - it’s an opportunity. Not just for Black professionals, or women, or Disabled employees, but for every business, industry, and economy that thrives when more voices are included. So if you’re tired of hearing about DEI? Imagine how exhausting it is to still be fighting for it.