Diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firms are struggling in Florida. The "Stop WOKE Act" has hit them hard.
Roni Bennett, Executive Director of South Florida People of Color, says her revenue has been slashed in half. "We’re in trouble," she told the Miami Herald.
The "Stop WOKE Act," passed in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, targeted critical race theory in schools and workplaces. Bennett noticed a decline in business, despite a small pandemic-era boost.
She also observed a shift in client attitudes before the law’s passage. "One client had a president change, and the new president wasn’t into DEI training," Bennett said.
Consultants like Bennett are reminding businesses the law doesn’t apply to private companies. "It made every business fearful it couldn’t [participate] in DEI training," said Alexander Rundlet, a Brickell lawyer and policy consultant.
In March, a federal appeals court ruled the workplace portion of the law violated the First Amendment. "The First Amendment keeps the government from putting its thumb on the scale," wrote Judge Britt C. Grant.
By July, a federal judge granted a permanent injunction against the workplace part of the law. But the education-related portion still stands.
Despite the favorable ruling, DEI businesses face challenges from an anti-woke culture. "A lot of deep and widespread harm has been inflicted," Rundlet said.
Bennett continues her work but needs support. "We owe it to the next generation to make progress for them," she said. "I want to be able to dismantle systematic racism in America."