The Fort Worth City Council voted to repeal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies Tuesday night, making Fort Worth the first major city in North Texas to do so. The council instead will enact a small business program that will remain racial and gender neutral.
The decision, which passed 7-4, comes amid increasing pressure to comply with new directives from President Donald Trump, who has promised to withdraw federal funding from cities that have DEI programs.
The meeting — which lasted five hours — drew a large crowd, including several people who urged council members to vote against the resolution.
“Our policies for the city of Fort Worth uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion because we learn to do better and acknowledge that every qualified business deserves a seat at the table,” said resident Karen Johnson. “But without those policies, we go back in time where only white people receive the benefit of the doubt regarding their qualifications. … We don’t need to go backwards when we can lead Fort Worth and the nation into the future.”
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Assistant City Manager Dana Burghdoff presented the new business development model that she said aligns with Trump’s policies and will preserve the city’s federal grants and the jobs and programs the grants pay for.
The model – called the Small Business Development Program – will replace the city’s business equity ordinance, which was implemented in November 2020 and aimed to reduce inequitable racial and gender barriers in business.
This new business development program was created in collaboration with the Fort Worth Chamber, the Metropolitan Black Chamber and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, whose representatives were also in attendance. Burghdoff thanked the three chambers of commerce and other city departments for helping to come up with the new program and discussed how the plan was developed.
“They’ve identified stakeholders for us to meet with to help understand what are the challenges that our small businesses face in working with the city and with others in their small business work,” she said. “We’ve met with the certification agencies about how we might pivot from MWBE certification to small business certification. Our law department has worked quickly on a small business procurement ordinance as well as to revise our economic incentives policy. And we’ve also met with a consultant about how we might create a small contractor development program.”
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With this change, the city would gradually move away from specifically supporting minority-owned businesses.
“Throughout this process, we have approached our role as a collaborative stakeholder group,” President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber Erica Garza said. “We remain focused on adapting to the current laws while continuing to support the small businesses which are the heart of our community. The structure and clarity of the city’s proposed program gives us a more defined framework, which enables us to move more intentional, more data driven and is strategic in our efforts.”
President and CEO of the Metropolitan Black Chamber Michelle Green-Ford also addressed the council.
“This has been a difficult process for all of us, but I want you to know that I am energized by the connections we have with the other chambers,” she said. “Working with the Fort Worth Chamber and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber together and the city leaders, I am confident that we can move forward with a plan that would move this city forward and develop all of our small businesses.”
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Burghdoff shared her concerns about what will happen to social programs in Fort Worth if the city chooses not to approve the resolution.
“We’ve covered with you before the penalties for non-compliance,” she said. “So, we are at risk of losing our existing and future federal funds if we do not suspend our programs that provide a benefit based on race, ethnicity, or gender.”
The city of Fort Worth has received about $277 million in federal grants over the years, according to Burghdoff. This funding has covered departments such as aviation, parks and recreation and the library.
In the coming week, the council will vote to determine an action plan for the city to receive its annual federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Participation in this program offers low-income residents resources in housing.
Burghdoff said Tuesday night that if the council does not vote to dissolve its DEI program, the city will be ineligible for the grant.
“This funds programs that serve primarily low-income residents, households, and individuals, as well as funding 38 positions – 38 employees – within our neighborhood services department,” she said. “If the resolution on your agenda tonight is not approved … we would not be able to certify that we comply with the federal executive orders. We would forego the 13.3 million and the funding that it would provide for those programs and for those employees.”
Council members responded to the resolution, with some also objecting to the proposal while others voted in favor of it.
“It’s difficult to grasp that we’ve reached a point where the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion have become so contentious that nearly $300 million in critical funding is now at risk,” District 6 City Councilmember Mia Hall said. “Let me be clear: I will not be voting for the suspension of DEI. Tonight, I will formally vote against the resolution suspending the application and enforcement of certain ordinances and resolutions as required to ensure the continued receipt of federal funding.”
District 4 Council member Charlie Lauersdorf supported the measure.
“I’m glad the chambers came out to speak. I think they’re going to do great work and they will continue to do great work,” he said. “ I’m looking forward to partnering with them and doing even more amazing work in Fort Worth. Who I really wish would have came out to speak was those who have been who have benefited from those federal dollars.”
Attendees throughout the evening expressed their disapproval with the measure, saying that it would be yielding to Trump’s demands and will ultimately harm the community.
Rev. Kyle Powell, a minister in Fort Worth who lives in District 9, said the measure goes against his faith.
“As someone who is committed to living and loving in the way that Jesus did, I couldn’t sit by while my city tries to act in a way that is contrary to Christ,” Powell said. “Jesus walked with the marginalized. He didn’t take away their opportunities. He touched the untouchables and fed the hungry. He healed the sick and made room at the table where people would try and take people away. Jesus didn’t get rid of ways to create new opportunities that welcome, include, and lift people up. In fact, he disrupted power structure, broke laws, and met members of the community where the need was greatest.”
Resident Mindy Tacket addressed Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in her delivery, warning her of what’s at stake with the resolution.
“Parker, this vote shines light on your real values,” she said. “You said you want to quote ‘strengthen alliances, build acceptance, and advance equal rights and access to opportunity for all residents.’ You’ve made speeches and proclamations saying diversity matters, but your actions and alliances say otherwise.
“It will cost us all something to push back. It will cost the city to stand its ground. But if we mean what we say about justice, inclusion, and who we want to be, we have no choice but to resist. We cannot let a racist fascist administration bully this city into harming the very communities who are here tonight asking this council to stand with them.”
Council members Deborah Peoples, Chris Nettles, Elizabeth Beck and Mia Hall voted against the resolution. Mayor Parker and council members Michael Crain, Charlie Lauersdorf, Carlos Flores, Macy Hill, Jeanette Martinez and Alan Blaylock voted in support.
The City of Fort Worth released a statement following the council’s decision.
“The Fort Worth City Council today took action that establishes a robust small business development program to increase business opportunities in Fort Worth,” it read. “The vote also protects the work of hundreds of millions of dollars in current and future federal grants that support vital infrastructure projects and social support programs that nearly 40,000 Fort Worth residents rely on annually, as well as the jobs of 120 City employees who support these projects and programs.”