Disney removes two DEI programs from annual filing as more companies scale back diversity commitments

Disney (DIS) has joined a growing list of companies that have removed or 
altered their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives after the 
Trump administration filed executive orders to dismantle federal DEI 
programs within the US government.

According to the company's latest 10-K filing for the full year ending 
Sept. 30, 2024, Disney has removed two DEI programs previously listed 
under the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion section of its report.

One includes the company's "Reimagine Tomorrow" initiative.

According to the 2023 filing, the program was described by Disney as its 
"digital destination for amplifying underrepresented voices and features 
some of Disney’s DE&I commitments and actions." Notably, the website is 
still active.

"The Disney Look" appearance guidances were also dropped.

The 2023 filing said the guidelines were "updated to cultivate a more 
inclusive environment that encourages and celebrates authentic expressions 
of belonging among employees."

Disney did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's request for comment. 
It's unclear if the moves mean the company has outright eliminated those 
specific DEI investments.

The development comes as President Trump has doubled down on eliminating 
DEI programs at the federal level, with high-profile companies taking 
similar action in recent weeks.

“My administration has taken action to abolish all discriminatory 
diversity, equity, and inclusion nonsense,” Trump said last month during a 
virtual address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

As Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan has highlighted, a slew of corporate 
giants have backed away from diversity initiatives, including Target 
(TGT), Meta (META), Walmart (WMT), McDonald's (MCD), Lowe’s (LOW), Ford 
(F), Tractor Supply (TSCO), and John Deere (DE).

Others, like Costco (COST) and Apple (AAPL), have held firm, with the 
latter encouraging its investors to vote down a shareholder proposal that 
would eliminate the tech giant's DEI programs, according to a proxy filing 
from the company. The vote will take place later this month.

But for Disney, the DEI pivot is particularly notable given the company's 
years-long battle over the company's special tax district.

The district, previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District 
(RCID), allowed Disney to operate as a self-governing entity since its 
inception. Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis seized control of 
the district in 2023 following Disney's opposition to the state's so-
called Don't Say Gay law. The law forbids instruction on sexual 
orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.

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annual-filing-as-more-companies-scale-back-diversity-commitments-
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