Current:Home > ScamsGOP setback in DEI battle: Judge refuses to block grant program for Black women-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
GOP setback in DEI battle: Judge refuses to block grant program for Black women
View Date:2024-12-23 23:04:56
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that an Atlanta venture capital firm can continue handing out grants to Black women entrepreneurs, saying a lawsuit claiming the program unlawfully excludes other races was unlikely to prevail.
The ruling dealt a setback to the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a nonprofit founded by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum.
“We won round 1 in the fight against the anti-affirmative action activists,” the Rev. Al Sharpton posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Blum's group filed an appeal seven minutes after the judge's ruling, according to the court filing.
"The district court denied a preliminary injunction. Its oral denial rested on one ground: that Fearless’ contest is speech protected by the First Amendment," the American Alliance for Equal Rights said in the appeal. "That reasoning flies in the face of decades of precedent."
A small player in the venture capital industry, the Fearless Fund was founded by Black women to back Black women who received less than 1% of the $215 billion in venture capital funding last year. The firm has funded new companies like restaurant chain Slutty Vegan and beauty brand Live Tinted.
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash Jr., who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, said the Fearless Fund’s $20,000 grant program is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
Two dozen Fearless Fund supporters attended Tuesday’s hearing, including Sharpton and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. After the hearing denying a preliminary injunction, they cheered Fearless Fund founders Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons and Sharpton held a rally at the courthouse.
"The reality is that Black women and women of color are significantly under resourced in advancing their business endeavors," Alphonso David, of counsel to the Fearless Fund and president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, said in a statement. "There is no law that restricts grants from being issued to women of color or Black women, particularly in light of this disparity. We are pleased with this result."
The lawsuit against the Fearless Fund alleging “explicit racial exclusion” filed in August has become a cause celebre as the affirmative action wars shift to the workplace.
The Fearless Fund case is part of a growing pushback from conservative activists like Blum, who fresh off the landmark affirmative action victory over race-conscious college admissions, has set his sights on the private sector.
He has taken aim at efforts to close the racial gap in corporate America.
Though it does not apply to employers, conservative activists seized on the decision that struck down affirmative action in higher education, arguing it raises fundamental issues about how corporate America addresses workplace inequality. Since then, the nation has seen an uptick in legal challenges to DEI programs, and Republican state attorneys general have warned large employers like Microsoft and Walmart against race-conscious practices in hiring and contracting.
Corporations wrestling with the implications of that ruling are urging the Biden administration to weigh in.
Corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives – DEI for short – were already under fire from GOP leaders like Florida Gov. and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis. Republican criticism only intensified in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in June.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- 'Serial swatter': 18-year-old pleads guilty to making nearly 400 bomb threats, mass shooting calls
- Vince Vaughn makes rare appearance with children at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
- Maryland extends the contract of athletic director Damon Evans through June 2029
- Old School: Gaughan’s throwback approach keeps South Point flourishing
- Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
- Ex-University of Kentucky student pleads guilty to assault in racist attack
- Who is Grant Ellis? What to know about the next 'Bachelor' from Jenn Tran's season
- Prosecutors won’t charge officers who killed armed student outside Wisconsin school
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- 17 RushTok-Approved Essentials to Help You Survive Rush Week 2024, Starting at Just $2
Ranking
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- All-Star Dearica Hamby sues WNBA, Aces alleging discrimination, retaliation for being pregnant
- Life as MT's editor-in-chief certainly had its moments—including one death threat
- Ferguson police to release body camera footage of protest where officer was badly hurt
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul VIP fight package costs a whopping $2M. Here's who bought it.
- Warts can be stubborn to treat. Here's how to get rid of them.
- When do Hummingbirds leave? As migrations starts, how to spot the flitting fliers
- Jets shoot down Haason Reddick's trade request amid star pass rusher's holdout
Recommendation
-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long record of promoting anti-vaccine views
-
50 best friend quotes to remind you how beautiful friendship really is
-
A conservative gathering provides a safe space for Republicans who aren’t on board with Trump
-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can remain on the North Carolina presidential ballot, judge says
-
'Dangerous and unsanitary' conditions at Georgia jail violate Constitution, feds say
-
LL Flooring files bankruptcy, will close 94 stores. Here's where they are.
-
Vince Vaughn makes rare appearance with children at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
-
With over 577,000 signatures verified, Arizona will put abortion rights on the ballot