How Blacks in NC Lost Ground in 2025

By Cash Michaels –

As 2026 proceeds, a look back at 2025 raises important questions for African Americans in North Carolina about how much social, political, and human capital was lost last year, and whether much, if any of it, can be regained in the future.

At the top of the list of social and political ground lost to Blacks in 2025 has to be the destruction of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies and programs not only in state government, but in private industries as well, affecting hiring, education, and small business opportunities.

Even though Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed measures passed by the NC General Assembly that dismantled DEI in state government, many agencies began ending the policy and practice on their own. And those vetoes can still be overridden by the NC General Assembly in 2026.

Millions in Grant Cuts

Tens of millions of dollars of federal education grants used to “strengthen teacher recruitment and retention, reduce vacancies, and improve hiring processes” for at-risk student needs in schools across North Carolina were also cut off by the Trump Administration, according to published reports. As a result, recruiting efforts for more teachers of color have been hurt, and those already on the job are at risk of losing their employment.

In their termination letter, those teachers were told the special program they were working under “…includes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.” The letter also alleged that teachers were being trained in “divisive ideologies.”

Rep. Adams Speaks Out

Amid President Donald Trump’s promise to close the US Department of Education (DOE), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12)  blasted the administration for essentially installing a tip line, otherwise known as an “End DEI portal,” “…where the public could make complaints about diversity, equity and inclusion practices in K-12 public schools as the Trump administration works to purge DEI from the government,” according to The Hill.

“The Trump Administration is once again using the federal government to attack teachers, students, and schools that dare to promote fairness and inclusion,” Rep. Adams, founding chairwoman of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, said in a statement. “This so-called ‘tip line’ is a shameless attempt to silence educators and dismantle programs that ensure every child—no matter their race, gender, or background—has a fair shot at success. Instead of working to strengthen our public schools, Trump is weaponizing the Department of Education to push a political agenda.”

In an effort to intimidate over 50 private and public universities across the nation to cease their DEI programs and practices, the DOE began investigating them for allegedly violating  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Duke University Accused

The DOE’s Office of Civil Rights accused Duke and over 50 other major institutions of racially discriminating against white and Asian American students.

State Republicans’ onslaught against DEI continued as the NC House voted 69-45 to ban state and local government agencies (including schools) from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing or maintaining workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives.

All House Republicans Present Voted for the Measure

House Bill 171 also instructed Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek, to audit state agencies periodically to determine if they are in compliance with the new law once it’s ratified by the NC Senate. Any state employee who violates HB 171 could lose their job. There are civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

A previous version of HB 171 would have mandated criminal punishment for violations. House Majority Leader Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus), primary sponsor of the bill, said that it was needed to prevent discrimination and restore hiring practices.

The war on DEI in 2025 extended to scientific research in North Carolina as well, setting back work done curing sickle cell anemia and other diseases that primarily affect Black people. Plus, the Trump Administration announced the dismantling of the Dept. of Education, while, sadly, three notable figures of NC black history, who unquestionably did much to inspire and uplift the community, died.

Learn more next month in part 2.