Opinion: What this moment calls for corporate leaders to do

By Jose M. Mu?oz

As Published in Crain's Chicago Business, February 04, 2025, 12:00 PM

This is a defining moment. Across the country, we are witnessing the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, alongside attacks on fundamental rights — from birthright citizenship to federal aid programs that serve communities in need. These shifts are not just policy changes. They are an affront to the values of fairness, opportunity and dignity that underpin our collective prosperity.?

For communities of color, especially Latino communities, the impacts are devastating. Undocumented and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as women, face increasingly severe challenges that compound existing disparities. The little progress we’ve made toward equity is being unraveled, and we need corporate America to rise to the occasion and stick to the commitments you’ve made to our communities.

Reinforce your DEI commitments with actions, not just words. Continue investing in equitable hiring practices, supplier diversity and programs that lift up marginalized communities. Speak out against harmful policies that target vulnerable groups. Show us that your values are more than statements on a website. That they are guiding principles for how you lead, how you operate and how you show up for the people who depend on you.

We understand that standing up to attacks on equity, inclusion and human dignity may come with costs. Doing the right thing often does. But leadership isn’t about following the path of least resistance. It’s about having the courage to face challenges head-on, to stand firm when others waver, and to act in the best interests of not just shareholders but society as a whole.

Leaders are defined by their willingness to do what is right, even when it’s not easy. Right now, doing the right thing requires fortitude. It means standing up to bullies who seek to divide us and undo the hard-fought gains we’ve achieved together. It means holding firm to values — not because it is convenient or popular, but because it is necessary for justice, equality and the long-term health of our society.

History will remember the decisions being made today. Companies that choose to abandon DEI initiatives or remain silent in the face of injustice are making a statement — a statement that they value expediency over equity and comfort over courage. But laws, policies and cultural winds may change; what must not falter are our values. Values should drive laws, not the other way around.

Our communities are watching. Your employees, your consumers and your stakeholders are watching. We urge you to be the leaders this moment demands. History will judge your actions, but more importantly, so will the communities you serve today. When this moment passes — and it will — we’re going to remember who stood with us.

Jose M. Mu?oz is co-chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda and CEO of La Casa Norte.