Seeds of liberation: Moving Beyond DEI to Self-Sufficiency
By Jimi Lightinin Hawk
Since the election of the new president, we’ve seen a wave of changes, particularly in the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs—especially those centered around African American and Black history. Some may ask, *What is DEI?*
In short, I see DEI as a temporary bandage offered by the system—something given conditionally, like a parent buying their child a gift only to use it as leverage for control. DEI has functioned as a means of access, but what happens when that access is denied? What if, instead of resisting the system’s shifts, we took this as a catalyst to build something indestructible?
What is DEI?
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It’s a framework used in organizations, institutions, and educational spaces to promote fair treatment, representation, and opportunities for historically marginalized groups.
- Diversity acknowledges differences in race, gender, class, and more.
- Equity ensures fair access by removing systemic barriers.
- Inclusion fosters environments where all voices are valued.
But what if, instead of fighting to keep DEI programs within institutions that were never designed for our liberation, we pivoted? What if we viewed this moment not as a loss, but as an invitation to build lasting self-sustaining systems?
DEI and HBCUs: A Legacy of Self-Determination
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were born out of necessity, created because traditional institutions excluded Black students. These spaces became incubators of brilliance, innovation, and independence. Now, with DEI programs under attack, HBCUs and independent educational models have an opportunity to reclaim their role as hubs of self-sufficiency, not just inclusion.
The focus should shift from demanding a seat at the table to building entire new tables—where we control the narrative, resources, and outcomes.
Learning from History: The Power of Economic Self-Sufficiency
Throughout history, exclusion has often been the birthplace of innovation. Take the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)—a movement that wasn’t just about desegregating buses, but about realizing the power of economic withdrawal and alternative systems.
- Community-driven transportation networks emerged as carpool systems and Black-owned taxis filled the void left by the boycott.
- Black people weren’t just fighting to sit on buses—they were beginning to see a world where they didn’t need them at all.
- Had that vision continued, Black-owned bus lines might have flourished, shifting the entire economic landscape.
This moment in history serves as a lesson: when the system removes access, we don’t beg for re-entry. We build. We create. We thrive.
The DEI Parallel: From Inclusion to Ownership
Today, as DEI policies are dismantled, we must apply that same energy to multiple sectors:
1. Entrepreneurial Expansion
Rather than fighting for diversity in corporate hiring, the emphasis should be on building Black-owned enterprises that create wealth on our own terms. We don’t need permission to lead in tech, media, health, fashion, and entertainment—we need infrastructure.
2. Educational Empowerment
If mainstream education is scaling back DEI, we must develop independent education models that prioritize knowledge sovereignty—teaching financial literacy, cooperative economics, and industry ownership. The rise of micro-schools and community-driven education is evidence that the shift has already begun.
3. Media and Narrative Control
Representation in mainstream media is not enough. True power comes from owning **the means of production**—publishing houses, film studios, streaming platforms. This ensures our stories are not dependent on gatekeepers.
4. Technology and Innovation
Black entrepreneurs are already excelling in blockchain, AI, and fintech. Instead of trying to fit into existing structures, we should be investing in Black-led tech firms that create **the future of digital sovereignty**.
A Shift in Perspective: From Seeking Seats to Building Tables
DEI should not be about getting a seat at someone else’s table. **It should be about creating the institutions, industries, and ecosystems that dictate our own future.**
Historically, every major industry where Black entrepreneurs once thrived—independent transportation lines, record pressing plants, hospitals—saw decline when integration became the focus instead of self-sufficiency. The assumption was that access to mainstream institutions equaled advancement, but often, it meant the dismantling of our own economic structures.
The Call to Action: Build the Future, Not Just React to the Present
This is a turning point. Instead of proving our worth to corporations and institutions that will never fully embrace change, we must focus on **investment in self-sustaining systems** that generate lasting wealth, power, and influence.
- Educational autonomy: Develop schools and curriculums that empower rather than indoctrinate.
- Economic networks: Build investment pools, cooperative businesses, and self-sufficient trade networks.
- Cultural preservation: Own our history, media, and storytelling without needing validation from outside entities.
This isn’t just about resisting the system. It’s about replacing it.
Final Thoughts: Babylon Must Fall, and We Must Rise
We are witnessing the fall of Babylon—the unraveling of outdated, exploitative systems. But instead of waiting to see what crumbles next, we must already be planting the new seeds.
Nature’s timing is always precise. What we sow today will bear fruit tomorrow. This is our time to rise—not by seeking entry, but by designing our own world.
The future is not in seeking permission. It is in ownership. The power has been within us all along. Let’s use it.
