Modesto, Stanislaus DEI programs face uncertainty following Trump’s executive order
Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government, condemning them as “a public waste and shameful discrimination.”
With Trump’s order in place, what impact could it have on Modesto’s DEI initiatives?
The City of Modesto has a DEI program dedicated to “fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion,” according to its website. The city’s DEI roadmap outlines key focus areas, including equitable recruiting and hiring practices, as well as fair job compensation.
Modesto also has, since 2022, an Equity Commission tasked with advising the city manager, City Council and staff on matters related to equity, inclusion, equal opportunity and disability issues within the city workforce and public services.
“We are currently evaluating any potential impact of this executive order for the city of Modesto. We do not want to make any decisions without a full understanding of the action and consideration of how this could affect our staff and community,” reads a statement from the city to The Bee.
Lindsey Bird, chair of the Equity Commission, said it is a misconception that Modesto’s DEI program prioritizes hiring unqualified candidates. She said the commission uses census data to analyze the city’s demographics and identify ways to ensure the workforce more accurately reflects the community’s diversity.
“Our focus is on improving the hiring process by expanding outreach to traditionally overlooked communities, addressing potential barriers that may disadvantage qualified candidates and fostering practices that prioritize equity over favoritism or nepotism,” Bird said in a statement to The Bee.
Modesto’s Equity Commission has been targeted in the past for being “the cornerstone of critical race theory” and resulting in “discrimination in the city’s hiring process.” The criticisms were made in anonymous fliers received by residents and brought to the attention of the City Council.
Bird noted that while DEI often is viewed narrowly as focusing only on race, gender and sexual orientation, the commission’s approach also addresses socioeconomic disparities. She added that the growing economic divide in the city, state and nation is a critical issue that requires action.
“It is crucial that efforts to bridge these gaps not be hindered by misunderstandings or unfounded fears. By fostering an inclusive and equitable workforce, we aim to build a stronger, more representative community,” Bird said.
Stanislaus County also has an Equal Rights Commission, though Carissa Lucas, the county’s public relations and communications director, stated that Trump’s executive order is not expected to affect the Board of Supervisors-appointed commission or board-approved positions, including the county’s manager of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Community members have previously criticized the county for not making full use of its DEI manager for outreach efforts and for failing to translate certain documents in Spanish.
The Stanislaus County Office of Education also stated that it does not expect any impact on its programs or the students served.
“We provide services, programs and hiring practices that are nondiscriminatory,” said Judy Boring, director of communications, in a statement to The Bee.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
