NAACP Launches ‘Diversity No Matter What’ Pledge for Colleges and Universities

The NAACP calls on more than 1,600 U.S. public and private colleges and universities with selective admissions processes to commit to the "Diversity No Matter What" pledge following the Supreme Court's extreme decisions reversing decades of precedent on affirmative action. The Pledge is an effort to ensure that higher education institutions foster environments mirroring the nation's diversity and increase the representation of historically underrepresented students "Let's be clear - Black America is in a fight for our lives The NAACP has been at the forefront of this battle for more than a century and we're not backing down," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson "It is our hope that our nation's institutions will stand with us in embracing diversity, no matter what Regardless, the NAACP will continue to advocate, litigate, and mobilize to ensure that every Black American has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."

The NAACP has long advocated for policies and regulations at every level of government to guarantee a first-rate education for all Black students The "Diversity No Matter What" pledge outlines various steps that schools can take to create and sustain a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect for the benefit of all students and therefore our society such as:

Eliminating racially biased entrance examinations and adopting a holistic approach that considers every aspect of an applicant's background, achievements, and potential. Supporting the matriculation and retention of low-income and firstgeneration students through outreach programs, scholarships, mentoring, and academic support services Recruiting diverse faculty and staff who can serve as role models and mentors for our students while contributing to our curriculum and research.

1 Million 1 Trendsetters Tour10 Cities in 90 Days

The 1 Million 1 Trendsetters Voice and Vision Tour is a 10-city campaign that promotes free national access to broadcast TV As the first 100% Black-owned and operated broadcast network in the United States, we aim to celebrate and raise awareness of Urban Trendsetters Television while highlighting the importance of Black-owned media for the Black community and culture. The tour includes a 12-hour "watch and win" telethon, as well as video drops and televised events from local and national Black expos, conferences, and festivals, allowing communities to see themselves on TV. We will search for original content from Black creatives and show hosts, conduct interviews with community leaders, spotlight Black business owners and entrepreneurs, and host career and opportunity fairs and networking events. Our goal is to showcase the power of free Black-owned broadcast television and provide a platform for individuals and organizations to support Black-owned media while promoting their own businesses, non-profits, events, and resources

Creating a welcoming, and supportive campus climate that values diversity, stands for equity, and advances inclusion in all aspects of academic and social life

Striving towards greater inclusivity by ending the utilization of legacy admissions which give an advantage to children and family members of institutional alumni or donors. Partnering with and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific IslanderServing Institutions, and other Minority Serving Institutions that have deeply rooted race-conscious missions

"When a college or university commits to our 'Diversity No Matter What' pledge, that signifies a huge stride toward future insurance that every student, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic status, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at a higher education institution," said Dr Ivory Toldson, NAACP Director of Education Innovation and Research. "Protecting diversity within higher education and beyond cannot be about a political party or affiliation This is about our ability to correct the nation's original sin and level the playing field to maintain and expand our diverse learning environments to propel our society forward towards a brighter future."

The NAACP also launched a "Diversity No Matter What" petition for their members and leaders across the country to sign You can read and sign the petition here

College and university administrators can sign the "Diversity No Matter What" pledge here.