KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Local officials are walking a tightrope on the issue of diversity, equity and inclusion as the Trump administration has gone on a purge to eliminate it from the government.
So far, his executive orders have effectively ended affirmative action, and racial diversity efforts at the federal level, but city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County officials have maintained their DEI policies and programs.
It’s where the two governments intersect that there is an issue.
Last night the county board considered letting the Local Initiative Support Corporation strike DEI language from their contract with the county for LISC operated community service programs funded by federal COVID-19 money.
Administrator Kevin Catlin says LISC is a national organization dealing with abrupt shift in federal policy at a national level.
“They don’t want a target painted on their back essentially, so they’ve asked that they be struck from their agreement so they can comply with executive orders from the federal government, mainly related to DEI.”
But county board chair Jen Strebs called it “capitulation” and made it clear she still expects LISC to abide by the agreement whether the language is there or not.
“That’s a timely consideration and what we’re gonna hold everybody who enters into contract with us accountable for what they said they would accomplish,” says Strebs.
The request has been put on hold until staff can obtain a response from LISC.
The services LISC provides already target disinvested neighborhoods, so having the language in their contract may not be as critical, but not all federally funded programs are like that.
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