Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 an outstanding amount of companies took part in creating their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Fashion Companies globally took notice which resulted in an exponential growth of funding and investment towards DEI initiatives. Major campaigns and marketing from some of the largest fashion brands took a stance towards fostering images that promoted diversity. Despite these previous efforts, there has been a rapid change in stance on DEI initiatives. This shift in DEI initiatives has an effect on Blacks in fashion.

The apparent disparities in wealth and access have impacted people of color overall including those that work in creative fields. The Fearless Fund, a venture capitalist firm was founded in 2019 as a way to lessen the wealth gap by providing funding through their grant program for companies led by women of color in the incubation stages. The firm has provided funding for businesses ranging from restaurant owners to fashion designers, like Sophia Danner-Okotie. NBCNews reported In 2023 the grant program was blocked by the federal appeals court. In a lawsuit filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights whose owner Edward Blum claims the venture capitalist group violated section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. These actions which critics believe are supposedly designed to eliminate discrimination by removing the very programs and initiatives that help promote it do not take into account the decades that people of color have been overlooked or the generational wealth gap that was created. It ignores the need to create a level playing field and open the door of opportunities for every qualified person.

The decline in DEI initiatives has been directly correlated to the shift in the political climate. In March 2024 CNN reported that since 2023, 81 anti-DEI bills that target programs at colleges have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, according to a tally by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Eight have been signed into law, in states like Texas, Utah, and Florida. (CNNNews) DEI critics believe the initiatives are against the constitutional rights of all American citizens although they oppose those views.
Despite the opposing views on the importance of DEI efforts. DEI initiatives are deliberate actions taken by corporations to ensure these values are implemented by fostering a precedence of employees of different race, gender, religion, and orientation establishing everyone fair access to opportunities creating inclusion. There have been several organizations launched to maintain inclusivity. Organizations like the Black in Fashion Council and Fifteen Percent Pledge are helping to eliminate the barriers the black fashion community faces.

With the future of DEI initiatives unclear many fashion companies are restructuring their initiatives. Despite efforts being brought to the forefront with much debate, strong support for DEI remains.