Southwest Retools DEI Messaging in Annual Investors Report (1)

Southwest Airlines Co. emphasized “belonging” in detailing its diversity efforts to investors on Friday amid scrutiny from conservative groups.

In its 10-K report to investors, the airline referred to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, which it called DEIB, shifting from a focus on DEI that was in its report last year. Southwest’s reworking of its diversity language is part of a major shift in the way companies handle DEI in the wake of conservative attacks on such efforts and, earlier last month, President Donald Trump’s executive order for federal agencies to root out “illegal” diversity programs in Corporate America. ...