BUILDING A BETTER GREENSBORO, TOGETHER.

The Path Forward: Focusing on Qualifications Over Quotas

Resolution Accepting Recommendations from the 2024 Disparity Study and its Recommendations

Moving Beyond Quotas: Embracing Merit-Based Policies in Greensboro

The Greensboro City Council’s recent decision to accept recommendations from the 2024 disparity study to improve the minority and women business enterprise program is a step in the wrong direction. While I understand the good intentions behind these efforts, I believe it is time for us to reevaluate the effectiveness and relevance of such programs in today’s society.

Recent surveys highlight growing skepticism toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. A November 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 36% of Americans believe DEI practices in the workplace disadvantage White men, while only 14% think they benefit from such initiatives. These findings reflect a shifting perspective on the effectiveness of these programs in achieving their intended goals. In fact, many believe these programs have started to hinder progress rather than promote it, creating situations where businesses are chosen based on criteria like gender or race rather than their qualifications, experience, and ability to deliver results.

I respect the importance of ensuring equal opportunities in business and contracting. However, the focus must shift from identity-based initiatives to merit-based systems. Our priority should be ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, supporting businesses that are qualified, experienced, and capable of completing the job effectively—regardless of the owner’s race, gender, or background.

Councilmember Sharon Hightower’s comments about the economic impact of this program are worth noting, but they seem out of touch with the current environment of equity. Sharon Hightower discusses Women-Owned Business under Item I1, which begins at timestamp 29:51. This part of the transcript addresses the resolution accepting recommendations from the disparity study, focusing on minority and women-owned business participation in city contracting procedures. While her points about improving the MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) program, tracking, and eliminating barriers to equitable involvement may have been relevant in the past, they fail to address the growing skepticism surrounding such programs. Economic success isn’t achieved by creating preferential treatment; it’s achieved by fostering competition, innovation, and rewarding excellence. Greensboro has an opportunity to lead by example, embracing a forward-thinking approach that emphasizes fairness through meritocracy.

This isn’t about being divisive or ignoring past disparities—it’s about acknowledging where we are today as a nation and a city. Programs that once served an important purpose may now be outdated, creating unintended consequences that hold us back instead of moving us forward.

I understand this is a controversial topic. But leadership often requires us to make tough decisions based on what’s right, not what’s easy. The majority of Americans—and many residents of Greensboro—have made it clear: it’s time to move beyond DEI programs that divide us and toward policies that unite us by focusing on the content of one’s character and the quality of one’s work.

Greensboro has always been a city of progress and innovation. Let’s continue to build on that legacy by ensuring our policies reflect the values of fairness, accountability, and excellence.

Additional Reading Resources
Pew Research Center – Views of DEI have become slightly more negative among U.S. workers
WFDD News – Greensboro City Council accepts recommendations to improve minority and women business program
Rasmusssen Reports – The More Americans Know About DEI, the More They Hate It
How NC public universities are complying with a DEI ban
The Rhino Times February 2019 – Council To Consider New Expanded MWBE Program