The man who inspired a movement Isaac Woodard, Jr., is photographed with his mother, Sarah Woodard, in South Carolina in 1946. Earlier that year Woodard, a soldier just back from World War II, was brutally beaten by police, who permanently blinded him. His story prompted Pres. Harry S. Truman to integrate the federal workforce. (more) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-programs Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: DEI program Written by DeNeen Brown DeNeen Brown is a professor of journalism at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. For more than three decades, she was a reporter at The Washington Post. DeNeen Brown Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Feb 12, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs—meant to address historical and systemic disparities based on race, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation in the workplace—became a controversial cornerstone for both the government and private sector in the 21st century. The practice, once known as affirmative action, has its roots throughout U.S. history and pivotally in the mistreatment of a Black World War II veteran and how Pres. Harry S. Truman responded to it. Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr., was a Black soldier who had just returned to the United States after fighting in World War II. On February 12, 1946, Woodard, still ...(100 of 2121 words)

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