Apple shareholders just sent a clear message: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are staying put. At its annual meeting on Tuesday, investors voted down a proposal from a conservative think tank that sought to eliminate Apple’s DEI efforts.
The proposal came from the National Center for Public Policy Research, which argued that recent Supreme Court rulings and an increase in lawsuits targeting DEI programs could put Apple at legal risk. However, the tech giant wasn’t convinced, and neither were its shareholders. The exact vote count wasn’t released, but the rejection was decisive.
Apple defended its position ahead of the vote, stating that the proposal was unnecessary because the company already has a strong compliance program. It also argued that the proposal improperly tried to dictate how Apple runs its business and manages its workforce.
Apple’s stance comes as some major corporations have scaled back or scrapped their DEI efforts due to political pressure and legal concerns. Companies like Walmart, Target, and McDonald’s have altered their programs, while financial powerhouse Goldman Sachs no longer requires companies it helps go public to have diverse leadership. Even Silicon Valley giants like Meta and Google have cut back on their DEI investments.
Despite this trend, Apple’s shareholders backed the company’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Their decision followed a similar move by Costco in January when its investors overwhelmingly rejected a similar proposal.
The vote comes at a time when corporate America is facing increasing scrutiny over its diversity efforts. Last year, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, and during his presidency, Donald Trump issued executive orders dismantling DEI programs in the federal government.
Meanwhile, Apple continues to invest heavily in its U.S. operations. Just a day before the vote, the company announced plans to spend $500 billion over the next five years, hiring 20,000 new employees and ramping up AI server production.
