in defense of Diversity
Recently, the Wichita City Council voted to grant the City Manager the authority to disband the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board—as well as any board that does not comply with the Trump Administration’s Executive Order 13950 and its subsequent iterations, which seek to limit how race, gender, and systemic inequality are discussed in federally-funded programs.
Let me be clear: I strongly oppose the manner in which this decision was made and the message it sends to our community.
While I acknowledge that the City faced pressure due to federal funding constraints—particularly the risk of losing vital resources for our transit department—this decision sets a dangerous precedent for how we value inclusive governance and how local government operates in the face of increasingly authoritarian federal overreach.
As someone who has spent the majority of my professional life advancing equity, I know firsthand what it means to operate under the pressures of federal mandates while remaining rooted in the belief that every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and protected. In my current role with a federally supported organization, I’ve navigated these challenges—balancing compliance with the unwavering commitment to honor the dignity of the communities we serve.
Dismantling advisory boards that center diverse voices strips our city of the tools we need to make informed, people-first policy decisions. It silences perspectives that are critical to shaping equitable solutions—particularly for those historically marginalized.
But here's what I believe, and what the research confirms: diversity is not a threat. It is a proven economic driver.
Studies from McKinsey & Company and Harvard Business Review show that organizations and municipalities that embrace diversity outperform their peers in innovation, productivity, and financial outcomes. Inclusive policies improve public health, strengthen local economies, and foster trust between government and residents.
Given everything going on at the national level, local government has never been more critical.
That’s why, when elected to City Hall, I will:
Work directly with legal counsel to ensure Wichita complies with federal regulations without compromising our moral obligation to inclusion.
Re-establish mechanisms for community voice—whether through advisory boards or alternative structures—that ensure people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences are heard in the policymaking process.
Champion policies that center equity in economic development, public safety, transportation, and beyond—because when we uplift everyone, we all move onward.
I will not sit silently while progress is undone. I will work overtime to protect the integrity of inclusive policymaking in Wichita—and I will never stop advocating for a city (and world) where everyone belongs.
