Greene County Democrat

Tag: and Apple Coding

  • Newswire : As attacks against DE&I heighten, Costco and Apple prove inclusion remains good business

    A diverse workforce – young leaders of the future

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Under President Donald Trump’s Project 2025, the administration has launched an unprecedented effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) programs. Federal agencies are now prohibited from observing Black History Month, and employees involved in DE&I initiatives have been terminated. Critics argue these measures represent a full-on attack on marginalized communities and signal a clear directive for corporations to follow suit. Trump’s administration, which has no diversity in its ranks, has been accused of setting a dangerous precedent.

    Some companies, however, remain committed to their DE&I efforts. Organizations like Costco, JPMorgan Chase, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Apple continue to view diversity as a cornerstone of their workforce strategies, refusing to back down despite mounting pressure from conservatives and the White House.

    Corporations Holding the Line

    Costco’s board of directors recently rejected the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) proposal that sought to force the company to publish risks associated with its DE&I programs or eliminate them entirely. The board reaffirmed the company’s commitment to inclusion ahead of a January 23 shareholder vote.

    “Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers,” the board said in a statement reported by Forbes. “Our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion follow our code of ethics. These efforts remind and reinforce with everyone at our company the importance of creating opportunities for all.”

    JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has also resisted calls to retreat from diversity programs. “We will continue to reach out to the Black community, the Hispanic community, the veterans community, and LGBTQ. We have teams with second chance initiatives — governors in blue states and red states like what we do,” Dimon said in an interview with CNBC.

    Apple’s leadership has similarly rejected proposals to scale back DE&I, labeling such measures as attempts to “micromanage” the company’s operations. The board stated, “The proposal is unnecessary as Apple already has a well-established compliance program,” as reported by Tech Xplore.

    Walmart’s Retreat Draws Outrage

    Walmart, by contrast, joined corporations like Meta, McDonald’s, Ford Motor Co., and Molson Coors in rolling back its DE&I initiatives. In response, long-term shareholders representing $266 billion in funds wrote a letter to CEO Doug McMillon on January 14, expressing their disappointment.

    “Seeing the company retreat from its stated values and the business opportunities associated with a diverse and inclusive workforce is very disheartening,” the letter, organized by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, stated.
    Caroline Boden of Mercy Investment Services, a signatory of the letter, added, “DEI initiatives aren’t just ‘nice to have,’ they are essential to breaking down systemic inequities hindering our economy and preventing society from fully thriving. Inequity is bad for business and, ultimately, investors.”
    A coalition of 14 attorneys general, including Maryland’s Anthony G. Brown, also sent Walmart a letter urging reconsideration. Speaking to CBS News, Brown said, “When major companies roll back their commitments to these efforts, they signal to smaller businesses that it is acceptable to do the same, creating a ripple effect that inflicts lasting harm across our State and nation.”

    Advocates Warn of Long-Term Consequences

    Leaders in DE&I initiatives continue challenging corporate rollbacks, warning of the harm such decisions could cause. Tinisha Bookhart, co-founder and director of IT and DE&I at Primary Talent Partners, described the move to abandon diversity programs as deeply troubling. “When implemented correctly, DE&I solutions aim to provide opportunities to qualified individuals who, due to conscious or unconscious bias, might not otherwise have them. Abandoning DE&I altogether is a grave misstep that only serves to perpetuate existing disparities in the workforce,” she said.

    In an interview with CWS 3.0, Omni Inclusive CEO Perry Charlton said corporations like Costco and Apple serve as shining examples of why DE&I matters. “Diversity in the contingent workforce is not just a moral imperative — it’s an essential driver of innovation, growth, and long-term success. Abandoning these efforts now undermines progress and jeopardizes the future of equitable work environments,” Charlton said.

     

  • Greene County School System adds new courses: Welding, Auto Mechanics, Apple Coding

    The Greene County School System is offering new courses this current school year. Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter, Sr. announced at the school board meeting held Monday, August 20, that Welding, Auto Mechanics, and Apple Coding are added to the curriculum. Dr. Carter stated that the Greene County School System has partnered with Dr. James Mitchell, President of Wallace Community College Selma, to provide the instructors for the Welding, Auto Mechanics and Apple Coding classes. The Auto Mechanics will be housed at the Career Center at Robert Brown Middle School; Welding will be at Greene County High Career Center and Apple Coding will also be housed at GCHS. According to Superintendent Carter a computer science curriculum will be fully implemented this year for students and teachers to enhance their computer skills. “We will fine tune our technology initiative through a comprehensive professional development for teachers and a more aggressive strategy for training students and parents on how technology can be used to enhance student achievement,” he explained. Dr. Carter congratulated all three schools for receiving a $2,000 Bicentennial Grant. He also congratulated Dr. Rhinnie Scott, GCHS Career Center Principal, for being selected as a Director for CLAS, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. Carter announced that the system’s annual budget hearings are scheduled for Tuesday August 28 and Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. in the Central Office Auditorium. According to Dr. Carter, to date, the Greene County School System has enrolled 1,048 students in its K-12 classes, and 36 in Pre-K, total of 1,084. The school board approved the superintendent’s recommendations of the following personnel items. Resignations: Tammy Anderson as first grade teacher; William Mack as bus driver; Su’Kova Hicks as English teacher; Russell Wesley, decline offer as Math teacher. Appointments for Eutaw Primary School: Lurene Smith as Kindergarten teacher at Eutaw Primary; Twelia Morris as long-term substitute secretary. Appointments at Robert Brown Middle School: Suntonna Miles as six grade teacher; Alisa Ward Allen as six grade teacher; Jacqueline Edwards as part-time custodian. Appointments Greene County High School: Jerria Prince as Career Preparedness Teacher, GC Career Center; Neshambia Sewell as Science teacher GCHS; Ashley Moody as English teacher GCHS; Cherema Gaines as Science teacher as long-term substitute at GCHS. Re-assignment: Cindy Taylor, from attendance supervisor to attendance officer. Part-time Employment: Cynthia Crawford as technical support for Greene County School Board District. Adjusted contract for Toice Goodson from 220 day to 240 days. The administrative services approved by the board included the following. * Approve Principal Contract – Greene County High School. * To hire a firm to survey and appraise property at Paramount Jr. High School, Eatman Elementary School, Berdine Elementary School, and Mt. Hebron Pre-School. * Authorize Attorney and Dr. Carter to make counter offer to the City of Boligee for property at Paramount Jr. High School. * Meal price change to be in compliance with the Child Nutrition Guidelines for visitors during the 2018-2019 school year. The necessary meal price adjustments are as follows: Visitor Students – Breakfast $1.50, Lunch $3.75; Visitor Adult – Breakfast $2.25, Lunch $4.00; Employees – Breakfast $2.00, Lunch $3.75. * Glimpse Proposal Grade K-12. * To accept proposals for Criterion Consulting Administrator Evaluation Support Services, for 2018-2019 school year. * Contract between the Greene County Board of Education, the Greene County Commission and the Greene County Sheriff Department for services of School Resource Officers at Robert Brown Middle, Greene County High School and Learning Academy for 2018 – 2019 school year. *Contract between Helping Hands Therapy and Greene County Board of Education for 2018 – 2019 school year. * Contract between Amy Quitt, for Provision of Speech-Language Therapy Services. Contract for Ebony Arrington Dance Education and Enrichment Program. Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll. The board approved the Parent & Student Handbook for the 2018-2019 School Year.