The Trends category has become an annual theme for the January and February issues of the ADR. We set the tone for your articles with a preview article like this one. For many of us, including Advisory Board members of the American Diversity Report, the new year and incoming administration brings a level of uncertainty and concern. There are many questions about the impact on those actively engaged in the work of creating and fostering diverse and inclusive communities and organizations.
Anticipating 2025, several of our Advisors shared their innermost thoughts and concerns, plus their personal goals in continuing and building on progress during what portends to be challenging times. They have set the tone for your comments and articles on 2025 trends.
Terry Howard
1) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.
By far the biggest issues for me next year and over the next for years are two; first, the increasing open acts of hate and bigotry being ushered in by a new administration – aided and abetted by the U. S. Supreme Court – stacked with people in power willing to turn a blind eye to such acts out of fear, politics and outright cowardice. Seems that we’ve entered an era where opportunism, hypocrisy and outright lies are normalized and just par for the course.
My second issue are the constant threats to shut down or at least control the “liberal” media (“fake news”) as is the practice in authoritative countries.
2) What would you like to see happen regarding those issues?
First, we need to accept the fact that we, contributors to the American Diversity Report as writers, ARE THE MEDIA and for the sake of our credibility, cannot stay silent on these issues. Why? Because our readers now more than ever will look to us for leadership as well as tools for responding to these disturbing trends.
3) What will you be doing to reach those goals?
I plan to up the ante and “hold feet to the fire” in writing about these issues in 2025. Because if we don’t, we’ll allow one sided perspective on critical issues that can be powerfully effective in influencing the minds of others. Second, because I’m an African American, and race is top of mind for me, I will continue to write about matters of race in the face of national trends to sweep race issues under the rug, ban books and otherwise rewrite history for the comfort of others. From my little corner of the world, you’ll hear me talk about the marginalized among us, give voice to the voiceless while calling attention to the acts of those who hurt, harm and abuse.
Deborah Levine
1) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.
I am personally invested in the issue of the growing hate and the resulting violent extremism in our country and across the world. Hate speech online is fueling this trend and will be magnified by legislation that shifts the definition of free speech to both allow it and prevent objection from liberal media.
My second issue is the trend to prohibit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The lack of education about diverse populations that results from this prohibition will further divide our society, decrease collaboration, and diminish cross-cultural communication. Future generations are particularly susceptible to this trend’s impact.
2) What would you like to see happen regarding those issues?
First, the efforts to counteract the hate online must be intensified. Our American Diversity Report writers should analyze what is being promulgated and offer true information. We must alert the public to what is happening regarding hate speech and hate crime and advocate for movements formed to prevent them.
Next, we must persevere and not allow these chaotic times damage our resolve to build community and be leaders of the 21st century. Reaching our younger generations with DEI should be a priority. With universities removing there DEI programs, I would liked to see the American Diversity Report become the cross-cultural communication hub of the future.
3) What will you be doing to reach those goals?
I will encourage the writers contributing to the American Diversity Report to counteract the hate, particularly the hate that is being spread online. I will also recruit additional writers who are focused on dealing with the trends generating hate speech and acts.
I am determined to persevere. My latest book, The Art of Resilience, is intended to encourage others to set goals and press on. One of personal goals is to address the antisemitism which is increasing across the USA and the world. My memoirs and documentary, Untold, Stories of a World War II Liberator, are central to achieving that goal.
My outreach to younger generations is already in process. The American Diversity Report is undergoing some changes that improve access and broaden its audience. This process is overseen by Harvard student Nahrahel Louis and his team RMA (Rebel Media Agency). Their excellent results will underscore that after 18 years, the ADR continues to be an iconic diversity hub. I’m delighted that Nahrahel and his RMA team will help the American Diversity Report influence the trends of 2025.
Mauricio Velásquez
1) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.
Clearly the “Anti-DEI” forces concern me and we have to continue to push back, fight back. We have no industry voice and we need to come together, united, and hold our ground.
Pure economic issues concern me. I see chaos and havoc coming. In challenging economic times hate purveyors will put additional pressure on marginalized communities – “to blame them” for our economic woes.
2) What would you like to see happen regarding those issues?
The social justice, DEI, ESG and related communities come together and push back, fight back as one unified group. We must band together. The DEI field is under siege – we must help each other.
Economically speaking – call out the true forces undermining our economy. The Trump Administration and their “Anti-immigrant Agenda” and their reliance on tariffs will wreck our economy. Part of me says “bring it on!” Maybe we need to hit bottom first.
3) What will you be doing to reach those goals?
I am advising our clients “to keep doing the DEI work” because these market and workplace DEI issues are not going away just because you don’t do the work. Call it something else – retention, employer of choice, or nurturing our best workplace initiatives. DTG is still very busy landing new clients but we know some of our brothers and sisters (they have told me) are leaving the field.
Also. I wrote a new book “Tackling Toxicity – Skill-based Guide to Addressing Toxicity” and that is tied in with my whole push in 2025. Toxicity in the workplace, on social media is on the rise and I see only more toxicity coming in the year to come. Buckle up, ready up, train your people, empower yourself and your people to deal with this pending and emerging toxicity – at work, at home, at school, at church.
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Note: We expect that you will be inspired by these 1, 2, 3 analyses and look forward to receiving relevant articles from you.
- Book Signing at Barnes & Noble: The Art of Resilience - January 13, 2025
- The power and influence of storytelling – by Deborah Levine - December 15, 2024
- Need a break? Take in history on the riverfront – by Deborah Levine - November 25, 2024