Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Condemns Trump Administration Executive Orders Dismantling DEI Programs and Opposes Rollback of Equity Efforts

Washington, DC (January 22, 2025) — The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) strongly condemns the recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” These actions represent a significant step backward in the fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across federal agencies, contractors, and the private sector.

These executive orders mandate the elimination of DEI programs, the closure of equity-focused offices, and the cessation of DEI-related grants, contracts, and training initiatives. They also repeal decades-old policies to ensure equal opportunity and equity, such as Executive Order 11246, which established equal employment opportunities for federal contractors, and Executive Order 12898, which addressed environmental justice in minority and low-income communities.

“A critical part of our nation’s business ecosystem is its minority and women-owned businesses that support infrastructure growth and accelerate local economic development and American global competitiveness. We must advance policies and practices that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. Together, we can continue the momentum of the progress achieved over decades and work toward a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed that benefits future generations,” said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.

AMAC’s Mission and Vision
AMAC is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities within the aviation and aerospace industries. Our vision is to create economic equity, access, and wealth for minorities and women in these sectors, and our mission is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the aviation ecosystem. These executive orders directly contradict AMAC’s mission and vision by dismantling structures that have been pivotal in addressing systemic inequities and fostering inclusive opportunities.

Why AMAC Opposes These Executive Orders

  1. Undermining Equal Opportunity in Federal Contracting: Eliminating DEI programs and repealing Executive Order 11246 removes accountability for contractors to promote equitable hiring and contracting practices. This disproportionately impacts minority- and women-owned businesses, which depend on these measures to compete on a level playing field.
  2. Threatening Workforce Diversity and Innovation: Removing DEI programs within the federal workforce disrupts efforts to build diverse teams that foster innovation and global competitiveness. The aviation and aerospace industries thrive on diverse perspectives, which are critical for problem-solving and creative thinking.
  3. Erasing Environmental Justice Protections: The revocation of Executive Order 12898 halts efforts to address environmental inequities, disproportionately harming communities near airports and aviation hubs that rely on federal protections for infrastructure and health equity.
  4. Stifling Economic Growth for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses: By eliminating DEI-related grants and contracts, the administration is cutting off vital resources for minority- and women-owned businesses, further widening the gap in economic equity and wealth creation.
  5. Contradicting National Interests: These actions send a damaging message that equity and meritocracy cannot coexist. In reality, diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for fostering competitiveness and achieving sustained success in industries like aviation and aerospace.

AMAC’s Commitment
AMAC remains steadfast in its dedication to:

  • Advocacy: We will continue to champion policies that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the aviation and aerospace industries.
  • Support: We will empower minority- and women-owned businesses with resources to navigate these challenging changes.
  • Collaboration: We will partner with stakeholders, government agencies, and community leaders to promote the value of DEI initiatives.

Call to Action
AMAC calls on policymakers, industry leaders, and the public to join us in opposing these regressive policies. We must ensure that the aviation and aerospace industries remain models of innovation, equity, and inclusion. Together, we can sustain the progress achieved over decades and work toward a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Join AMAC on Capitol Hill
We look forward to deepening our commitment at the upcoming AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum from March 26–28, 2025, in Washington, DC. You’re invited to take action and join aviation industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders in exploring actionable strategies that drive meaningful change and expand access to opportunities within our industry. With the Trump Administration’s intent to end DEI programs within the federal government, the Forum will be critical as we meet with key Congressional leaders responsible for the future of the DBE/ACDBE Programs, ongoing investment in our nation’s aviation infrastructure and the essential role minority and women-owned businesses play in facilitating local and national economic development.

About 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.

Media Contact:
Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO
president@amac-org.com