Wichita suspends its diversity board in response to federal anti-DEI initiatives

The Wichita City Council voted to suspend a city board focused on civil rights, diversity and inclusion on Tuesday, responding to pressure by the Trump administration to cut so-called DEI programs or lose federal funding.

Trump’s executive order earlier this year aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs put $100 million in federal funding at risk, the city said.

The suspension of the Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board comes as the council narrowly passed a resolution granting the city manager new powers to temporarily suspend enforcement of some ordinances — including one that established the advisory board.

“Compliance is no longer viewed simply as a snapshot in time,” Steve Smart, deputy city attorney, said, “but as a continuum that requires continued vigilance and adjustment as new directives are passed as the federal government’s fiscal year 2025 winds down.”

Mayor Lily Wu — who called in from out of state to cast what was ultimately the deciding vote — was joined by JV Johnston, Becky Tuttle and Dalton Glasscock in voting to give the city manager the authority to cut any DEI policies.

The Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board was created by Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple amid civil unrest surrounding the George Floyd protests in 2020.

The board was intended to address racial and police use of force issues, but has remained a rather low-key city board. The council vote to essentially end its focus on the board’s core issues comes as it was discussing a potential reparations ordinance for the city of Wichita.

The Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights board voted in May to submit a letter to the City Council requesting the city’s leaders consider a proposed reparations ordinance without endorsing the plan.

The city of Wichita received more than $406 million in federal funding in 2024, according to the city’s annual financial report.

More than $21.1 million in funding went to the city’s transit department from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2024, including funds that are passed through the state of Kansas.

The city also receives a number of federal funds for capital projects, including the city’s new water treatment plant in northwest Wichita.

“What I look at is that there’s a risk, and weighing risk is real, and that risk is the [millions of dollars] that the city receives from the federal government, specifically and in large part to housing and transit,” Wu said before voting to approve the resolution.

Wu joined the meeting virtually during discussion on the city manager resolution, then left the meeting. She returned later in the meeting to discuss the city’s budget. Wu is currently at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative in New York City, according to council member travel reports.

The resolution passed on a 4-3 vote.

Council member Brandon Johnson pushed back strongly against the federal government’s initiatives, suggesting — without naming President Donald Trump — that the “current occupant” of the White House has embraced fascism and is attempting to “whitewash America” by cutting DEI initiatives.

“Doing so is a direct threat and slap in the face to what truly makes us great,” Johnson said. “And that’s our diversity.”

Council members Maggie Ballard and Mike Hoheisel also voted against granting those powers to the city manager.

“DICRAB is not a DEI program,” Ballard said. “It’s a citizen advisory board to inform council and keep our policies inclusive for all residents of Wichita, and make sure we are aware of all aspects of our community and focus on civil rights.”

Ahead of the vote Tuesday, the board decided to cancel its meeting for later that day, according to a city spokesperson.

The temporary powers for the city manager are granted until the end of this year. The city said it will continue to review whether to extend the resolution to address directives by the federal government.

This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM.