Education Department softens controversial guidance on race and schools
A new question-and-answer document, posted online late Friday, clearly states that by law the federal government cannot dictate curriculum.
Diversity
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Indy Pride unveils lineup for two-day music series at American Legion Mall
Indy Pride Inc. will present “Unwritten” singer Natasha Bedingfield as one of the headliners for its concert series.
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Organizers eye 2026 return for I Made Rock ’n’ Roll festival
Organized by cultural development firm GangGang, the first I Made Rock ’n’ Roll festival featured Janelle Monáe as its headlining artist.
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Braun orders remote state workers back to office, eliminates DEI in first executive actions
By ending the pandemic-era measure, all state agencies must require their full-time workers to be back in office by July 1.
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IBJ Podcast: Artistic director banks on broad vision for fledgling Black theater company
Ben Rose breaks down his vision for supporting the fledgling Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. while serving the careers of its members both on and off stage.
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Articles
Lawsuits allege culture of violence left 2 Perry Township Schools students with head injuries
The lawsuits argue that a culture of unchecked student violence exists throughout the district.
Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money
The sweeping demand threatens to upend all aspects of campus operations, from questions on college applications to classroom lessons and campus clubs.
ACLU sues Indiana State University for allegedly canceling pride festival on campus
A lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, argues that the decision violates the First Amendment rights of plaintiff Pride Center of Terre Haute, Inc.
Ivy Tech ‘sunsetting’ its Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging
Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said the decision was a proactive move to protect funding amid federal orders and state legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Indiana Senate OKs anti-DEI bill that takes aim at state agencies, schools
The bill advanced after more than three hours of floor debate—and following a contentious, unprecedented challenge to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s Senate presidency.
Google scraps diversity hiring goals as it complies with executive order
Many companies inside and outside of the technology industry have abandoned or scaled back their diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs.
Senate approves electronic pull tabs for charity gambling as House OKs immigration notice mandate
Also past the halfway point are bills on voting, water transfers and teacher pay. The House, meanwhile, pulled back on divorce and municipal election changes.
Target joins others in scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
Target, which operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people, said it already had planned to end the program this year.
Anti-DEI bills take heat, but pass Indiana Senate committee
For four hours on Wednesday, and with tempers flaring throughout, Indiana lawmakers and plenty of constituents debated whether diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts combat or constitute discrimination.
Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave
President Trump’s executive order will toss out equity plans developed by federal agencies and terminate any roles or offices dedicated to promoting diversity. It will include eliminating initiatives such as DEI-related training or diversity goals in performance reviews.
Black Indiana lawmakers denounce governor’s anti-DEI order, budget proposal
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun last week signed an executive order replacing “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI, throughout state government policies and programming with “merit, excellence and innovation,” or MEI.
Myra Selby named Ice Miller’s first chief equity and inclusion officer
The former Indiana Supreme Court justice will oversee the national law firm’s diversity, equity, inclusion and access efforts involving both lawyers and business professionals.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman seeks breakthrough for Black coaches on historic day in America
University of Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman is trying to become the first Black coach to capture a college title at the highest level in America’s favorite sport.
Which U.S. companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?
A Meta official said Friday that the company is “building teams with the most talented people” instead of making hiring decisions based on protected characteristics.
Minority college enrollment steady in Indiana despite ruling that ended race-conscious admissions
Experts say it will likely take a few years before the impacts of the Supreme Court decision fully shake out, especially given other factors that could have affected enrollment this year, like the shaky rollout of a new federal aid platform.
Walmart rolling back DEI commitments amid conservative backlash
The retailer has replaced the term DEI with “belonging” and no longer plans to consider race and gender when choosing suppliers—the latter a practice it adopted after the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Job rate for women in tech has hardly budged since 2005, EEOC finds
The report also found that while overall racial diversity in the high-tech workforce increased from 26 percent in 2005 to 40.1 percent in 2022, Hispanic and Black workers remained significantly underrepresented in the field.
Lowe’s changes some DEI policies in wake of high court decision
The home improvement chain joined the ranks of several other companies that have altered their programs after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
Indiana Chamber, some companies continue DEI work despite backlash
DEI efforts remain popular with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and some prominent members of the Hoosier business community even as companies elsewhere back away from what has become a culture war flashpoint.