WASHINGTON, DC (August 1, 2023)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s attempts to remove and end business supplier diversity and workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“There is no doubt that the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action in education will have trickle-down impacts on business supplier diversity and workplace DEI programs. From the letter undersigned by Attorney Generals of 13 States threatening Fortune 100 CEOs with ‘serious legal consequences’ for the continuation of race-based preference for their employment, contracting and supplier diversity practices to the recent attempts by the U.S. House of Representatives to remove funding for diversity and inclusion programs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through amendments to the FAA Reauthorization Bill (though unsuccessful). The attempt to dismantle workplace and business diversity programs is underway, and the fight is at our door.
Since 1984, AMAC has represented a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned, disadvantaged business enterprises and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. Despite the uptick in the interest to decrease diversity programs that strengthen minority communities, AMAC will relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries to achieve our vision of economic equity, access and wealth for minorities and women in the aviation and aerospace industries,” said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.
According to a McKinsey & Company report encompassing 15 countries and more than 1,000 large companies, companies with gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability, and companies with ethnic diversity on executive teams outperformed others by 36% in profitability. The business case for workplace diversity and the significant impact that minority-owned businesses have on their local communities and on the economy is clear and remains strong.
Stay tuned for more information from the AMAC National Office and AMAC Government Affairs Committee on our “One AMAC” strategy as we activate our members, chapters and industry partners to champion and defend programs that allow for equitable and expanded opportunities for minorities and women in the aviation industry.
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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.