Down goes DEI

Back in January, the Trump administration announced it was effectively ending federal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs and positions. If that doesn’t ring a bell, I don’t entirely blame you. It’s been an interesting year.

Well, that directive has made its way down to San Diego and manifested in the San Diego Association of Governments making “significant changes” to its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. The program focused on helping “socially and economically disadvantaged” individuals like women and minorities obtain Department of Transportation contracts for highway, transit and airport projects.

Our intern, Sophia Sleap, dug into what was behind this change of policy. Ultimately, SANDAG told Times of San Diego, that it won’t be considering DEI frameworks for any agency transportation project, after the federal government’s policy change.

More on money:

There’s always room for more funding in San Diego, and recently the Prebys Foundation has been filling the void for some folks around town. 

It feels like every month, I see one thing or another about the Foundation giving out another couple million to food banks or fostering the arts.

Last week, the foundation announced it’s awarding $4 million in grants to over 20 community clinics and health organizations across the county. While that is a sizable chunk of change, and very much needed for local healthcare providers, Brooke Binkowski has a story on why it doesn’t close the gap.

Flip-a-coin, it might rain. Stay dry out there today.

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