Shanequa Smith, one of the founders of Black Policy Day, speaks at the fourth annual event at the state Capitol on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Charleston, West Virginia. Black Policy Day brings together people from across the state to advocate for policies that affect the Black community. (Will Price, West Virginia Legislative Photography)
As West Virginia leaders move forward with a plan to eliminate state-funded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, some visitors to the state Capitol on Monday urge them to reconsider.
“I really would like them to look into why they want to get rid of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a state that isn’t as diverse as others,” said Shante Ellis, the YWCA of Charleston’s community enrichment executive director and an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member. “It’s a really good time to stay inclusive, especially if we’re wanting to bring big businesses here to the state.”
Ellis was one of several dozen people who attended Black Policy Day at the West Virginia Legislature on Monday. In its fourth year, the event brings together people from across the state to advocate for policies that affect the Black community.
Incentives for diversity and inclusion are just one of many policies that community members want to see implemented this year. That appears unlikely after Gov. Patrick Morrisey, following President Donald Trump’s lead, issued an executive order terminating state funding for DEI initiatives. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved legislation to prohibit DEI programs.
Ellis stated that ending DEI would likely have a significant impact on businesses considering locating in the state.
“Some of the larger businesses want to be diverse, and probably already are diverse,” Ellis told me. “When I say diversity, I don’t just mean race. It’s about veterans, women, and people who are disabled. It is about everything that goes into being a diverse company. And larger companies like that typically want to be in a location where they can remain as diverse as possible.”
Shanequa Smith, one of the founders of Black Policy Day, stated that eliminating DEI would harm many people.
“We call this Black Policy Day because we have to make a bold statement, to let people know a lot of spaces are not created for us, and this is not exclusive to Black people,” Smith said “…We deserve space, just as much as women do.
Children are entitled to their own space. Men are entitled to personal space. Black people deserve to be given space. And it’s unfortunate that we still have to make space because it doesn’t come to us naturally.”
Other policies on the agenda this year include establishing a state child tax credit, investing in re-entry support for people leaving jail and prison, and promoting Black infant and maternal health, among others.
Smith believes it is critical for lawmakers to understand what the Black community requires from them.
“I think it’s very important for people to feel comfortable [here],” she told me. “Some people said this is the first time they’ve ever stepped foot in this building, so this is awesome for them.”
Smith stated that she would like to see lawmakers provide more support for childcare and children.
“When you take care of the children, you take care of the people.” She went on:
Martec Washington, a West Side Charleston resident, wants lawmakers to focus on what he believes are West Virginia’s real issues.
“We have missing children, and there is a lot going on with Child Protective Services. “They still don’t have clean water in Southern West Virginia,” Washington stated. “They’re still reeling from flood issues, and the first piece of legislation this organization wants to send out is changing a mountain’s name to Trump Mountain,” Washington said, referring to a resolution introduced last month that has since stalled.
“That shows me that you’re not focused on any of the people or the real things that are going on in West Virginia,” according to him. “So I wanted to make sure I came out so that these people could actually confront me.
So you could explain to me why you believe that worrying about anything other than health care, education, finances, or West Virginia’s future is unimportant, but naming the mountain is.”
Washington said he was disgusted by the backward thinking behind efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“DEI does more than just protecting Black and brown people,” he told reporters. “It’s really to ensure that people can get up here to the second floor using the elevator.
That’s what DEI is. It ensures that blind people have access to reading materials when they visit the Legislature or attend school. It’s to ensure that people like my grandmother, who is deaf and mute, have someone sign so that she doesn’t miss anything while still paying taxes.”
“So do you not care about the disabled?” He said. “I mean are we going backwards or forwards?”
Washington wants lawmakers to pass the Crown Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on hairstyle. The bill is introduced annually and usually sits dormant. Last year, the Senate judiciary passed the bill, but it died when Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr referred it to his committee and declined to take it up due to potential costs.
To Washington, the legislation is straightforward. He doesn’t see why lawmakers haven’t passed it.
“That is something that not only protects Black and brown people, but people of all colors,” the politician said. “White people have dreads.” White people color their hair.
They like getting braids. However, they do not fear being evicted, kicked out, or kicked out of an entire event because they have dreads. I’m competing in a sport. What does my hair have to do with this? It isn’t giving me an advantage.”
