DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Federal judge in Texas says agency created to help minority-owned businesses must provide assistance to all races
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —A federal judge in Texas said Tuesday that a US Commerce Department agency intended to help minority-owned businesses must offer assistance to all individuals, regardless of race, agreeing with White business owners who claimed that its policies were unconstitutional. Because they aren’t on the Agency’s magic list, the Agency presumes they aren’t disadvantaged,” Pittman wrote. Time’s up.”The MBDA is one of the only federal agencies focused exclusively on developing and advocating for minority-owned businesses. In recent years, conservatives have increasingly turned to federal courts in Texas to challenge certain federal programs and actions. “To the extent the MBDA offers services pursuant to an unconstitutional presumption, that’s fifty-five years too many,” Pittman said in his latest ruling.

Persons: Mark Pittman, Donald Trump, Pittman, …, ” Pittman, ”, Nixon, “, ’ ”, MBDA Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, US, Minority Business Development Agency, Latino, Agency, US Department of Commerce, Fort, Northern, Northern District of, Biden, “, Centers Locations: Texas, Asian, Fort Worth, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, SFFA

☆ How the fortune of one of America’s biggest pharmaceutical families has quietly funded conservative causes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Casey Tolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

From The Searle Freedom TrustThis year, the Searle trust is poised to play an even bigger role as it empties out its coffers. Researchers who study political nonprofits say that the Searle trust has had a major impact, even as the Searle family has stayed under the radar compared to more well-known conservative benefactors. The Searle trust is one of the most prolific funders of conservative groups among all private foundations, according to a CNN analysis of nonprofit tax data. The Searle trust has given millions to the Foundation for Government Accountability, which has worked behind the scenes to push conservative policies such as stricter voting laws. Dennis, the CEO of the Searle trust, is also the chair of DonorsTrust.

Persons: Searle, Daniel C, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Galen Hall, who’s, Kimberly Dennis, ” Searle, “, Sarah Scaife, doesn’t, Michael B, Thomas, SPN, They’ve, ” Brendan Fischer, Brendan Fischer, “ They’ve, ” Hall, Caleb Rossiter, ” Galen Hall, movement’s MAGA, It’s, Mike Pence, that’s, Dennis, Henry Ford, John D, Rockefeller, ” Fischer, Gideon, Michael Searle, ” Dennis, “ We’re, Dan, Gideon Daniel Searle, Daniel Searle, Jonathan Eig, Jack Searle, Daniel Searle’s, Gregory Pincus, John Rock, Pincus, weren’t, –, Sue, Eig, Margaret Marsh, Enovid, misoprostol, Searle –, Pfizer –, ” Daniel Searle, Donald Rumsfeld, Searles, Biden, Wade, Dobbs, Kristen Batstone Organizations: CNN, Searle Freedom Trust, University of Michigan, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Searle, American Enterprise Institute, Reason Foundation, Tax Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Cato Institute, Foundation, Government, State Policy Network, American Legislative Exchange Council, Fair, Pacific Legal Foundation, Federalist Society, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Environment Research Center, CO2 Coalition, Heartland Institute, ”, CO2, Heartland, Republican Party, movement’s, America, Policy Institute, Trump, American Freedom Foundation, Everett, FDA, Rutgers University, Pfizer, Monsanto, Heritage Foundation, Reason, Affordable, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Public Policy Center, Claremont, National Women’s Health Network, Trust, IRS Locations: Missouri, St, Louis , Missouri, California, judgeships, ”, Omaha, Metamucil, Dramamine, Puerto, Brazil, Diet Coke, America

☆ Supreme Court lets West Point continue considering race as part of admissions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —The Supreme Court said Friday that the United States Military Academy at West Point can continue considering race as a factor in its admissions process while a legal challenge to the practice plays out. Last week, SFFA asked the high court to step in on an emergency basis to block West Point from considering race in its admissions process as the litigation unfolds. “For now, the only question is what should happen as this case proceeds – who should bear the burden of the status quo,” attorneys for SFFA told the Supreme Court. “Every year this case languishes in discovery, trial, or appeals, West Point will label and sort thousands more applicants based on their skin color – including the class of 2028, which West Point will start choosing in earnest once the application deadline closes on January 31. Or should West Point bear the burden of temporarily complying with the Constitution’s command of racial equality?” they added in part.

Persons: SFFA, Biden, “, midstream, Elizabeth Prelogar, Prelogar, ”, Philip M, Halpern, it’s, ’, Court’s, John Roberts, Richard Bennett, CNN’s Jamiel Lynch Organizations: Washington CNN, United States Military Academy, Fair, Harvard, University of North, US Naval Academy, Supreme, “, Army, West, Naval Academy Locations: University of North Carolina, “, New York, West, Maryland

The conservative majority Supreme Court's ruling came in response to lawsuits by the same group now suing over West Point's policies in federal court in White Plains, New York. The group, Students for Fair Admissions, was founded by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum. The Supreme Court's ruling invalidating race-conscious admissions policies used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina did not address race in admissions at military academies, which Chief Justice John Roberts said had "potentially distinct interests." Although Black people make up 20.2% of the Army's active duty enlisted personnel, only 11% are officers, the Justice Department said. White people by contrast constitute 51.7% of the Army active duty enlisted corps and 68% of its officers, the Justice Department said.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Biden, Edward Blum, SFFA, Blum, Philip Halpern, Donald Trump, John Roberts, West, Nate Raymond, Gerry Doyle Organizations: United States Military Academy, REUTERS, Wednesday, U.S . Military Academy, West, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S, Fair, Constitution's, Department, Army, Republican, U.S . Naval Academy, Harvard University, University of North, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: West Point , New York, U.S, U.S ., West, White Plains , New York, University of North Carolina, Boston

☆ Analysis: The affirmative action battle shifts to a new front
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The lawsuits against the US Navy and West Point suggest that opponents of affirmative action are serious about eliminating any policy of diversity based on race. It’s not surprising that the US Armed Forces have drawn criticism from affirmative action foes. As the country heads into the presidential election year, more lawsuits invoking the Voting Rights Act are expected to follow. Many Black workers historically used auto jobs to build careers, but advancement opportunities have diminished since the early aughts. “But the decline in US auto jobs and the erosion of unions have hit Black workers hardest,” he wrote.

Persons: CNN —, “, ” SFFA, It’s, Henry C, Harris , Jr, Rogers H, Beardon, Frank Frederick Doughton, Elmer B, Edward Blum, Blum, Alabama’s, —, Blum —, Holder, Shelby, you’ve, CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters Meyersohn, ”, John Blake Organizations: CNN, US Naval Academy, Harvard, University of North, Fair, US Military Academy, West, US Navy, US Armed Forces, Defense Department, Black US Army, Military, Fort, US Supreme, Republican, Alabama’s GOP, UAW, United Auto Workers, Detroit’s Big, Reuters Locations: University of North Carolina, America, Fort Benning, Georgia, Alabama, Florida , Louisiana, County, Detroit, Belleville , Michigan

"There are many other law firms with similar racially discriminatory programs," Blum said in a statement. "It is to be hoped that these firms proactively open their programs to all law students before they are sued in federal court." The paid fellowships were designed in part to help support the recruitment of people of color, which major law firms have long struggled to add to their partnership ranks. Last year, people of color comprised 11.4% of all partners in major U.S. law firms, according to the National Association for Law Placement. The lawsuit alleged the fellowship program violated a Civil War-era law enacted to protect formerly enslaved Black people that bars racial bias in contracting.

Persons: Edward Blum, Morrison, Foerster, firm's, Edward Blum's, Perkins Coie, Blum, Blum's, Fearless Fund's, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Wednesday, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, National Association for Law, U.S, Supreme, Harvard, University of North, Thomson Locations: Boston, Dallas, Seattle, University of North Carolina

U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash during a hearing denied a request by Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights for a preliminary injunction blocking Fearless Fund from considering applications for grants only from businesses led by Black women. Blum's group had asked the judge to temporarily block the Fearless Fund's "racially exclusive program" while the court considered the merits of the case. Fearless Fund founders Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons in a joint statement said they were pleased that Thrash rejected Blum's attempt to shut down their grant program. According to the Fearless Fund, businesses owned by Black women in 2022 received less than 1% of the $288 billion that venture capital firms deployed. It also provides grants, and Blum's lawsuit took aim at its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest, which awards Black women who own small businesses $20,000 in grants and other resources to grow their businesses.

Persons: Edward Blum, Thomas, Edward Blum's, Blum, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, Simone, Parsons, JPMorgan Chase, Strivers, Nate Raymond, Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Supreme, U.S, District, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, Circuit, Appeals, University of North, JPMorgan, Bank of America, MasterCard, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Atlanta, Texas, University of North Carolina, Black, U.S . Civil, Boston

Those lawsuits accuse all three of violating Section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, a law enacted after the Civil War that guarantees all people the same right to make and enforce contracts "as is enjoyed by white citizens." "All of our nation's civil rights laws - including the 1866 Civil Rights Act - enshrine the command that someone's race and ethnicity must never be used to help or harm them in public and private employment and contracting," Blum, who is white, told Reuters in an email. FREE SPEECH ARGUMENTFearless Fund has brought in prominent lawyers to defend it, including civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Alphonso David, who during a news conference called Blum's use of the Civil War-era law "cynical." They argue that the rules for the grants are merely criteria for being eligible for a "discretionary gift" and do not create a "contract" subject to the civil rights law. Blum's group countered that Fearless Fund's argument would ironically undermine the very causes it favors by essentially invalidating Section 1981 and deeming racial discrimination protected by the First Amendment.

Persons: Edward Blum, Morrison, Foerster, Edward Blum's, Thomas, Fearless Fund's, Bill Clinton, Blum, Sarah Hinger, Hinger, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, Blum's, Strivers, Ben Crump, Alphonso David, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Will Dunham Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Supreme, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, University of North, U.S, District, Democratic, Reuters, American Civil, Racial, Thomson Locations: Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, University of North Carolina, Atlanta, Black, Blum's Texas, Colorado, Boston

☆ After Supreme Court victory, anti-affirmative action group turns to military academy exemption
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Rachel Nostrant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Graduation cadets toss their hats into the air at the end of the 2023 graduation ceremony at the United States Military Academy (USMA), at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York, U.S., May 27, 2023. Edward Blum's group launched its new campaign with a website called West Point Not Fair on which it asks: "Were you rejected from West Point? Or the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy? The group is using the site to collect the names, contact information and stories of people who were rejected by West Point, the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy or who are planning to apply to those institutions. Dunlap added in an email to Reuters, "The Court rarely supplants its judgment for that of military leaders and especially, the elected branches of government."

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Edward Blum's, Blum, Thursday's, Charlie Dunlap, Dunlap, Rachel Nostrant, Leslie Adler Organizations: United States Military Academy, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Fair, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Reuters, Department of Defense, Harvard University, University of North, Duke University, Air Force, Thomson Locations: West Point , New York, U.S, West, University of North Carolina

☆ Business Is Caught in a Diversity Trap
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/democratic-state-attorneys-general-letter-fortune-100-companies-dei-hiring-sffa-v-harvard-5564719c

Persons: Dow Jones, 5564719c Organizations: harvard

☆ Read the Supreme Court Decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

18 STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE JACKSON, J., dissenting A plus, by its nature, can certainly matter to an admissions case. It does this to ascertain who among its tens 892 App. ⁹1 A reader might miss this because the majority does not bother to drill down on how UNC's holistic admissions process operates. Perhaps that explains its failure to apprehend (by reviewing the evidence presented at trial) that everyone, no matter their race, is eligible for a diversity-linked plus. Moreover, its holistic review process involves reviewing a wide variety of personal criteria, not just race.

Persons: J, ⁹, ⁹ ¹, John, James Organizations: FAIR, INC, OF HARVARD COLLEGE JACKSON, UNC, ⁹ ¹ UNC

“The Harvard and UNC admissions programs cannot be reconciled with the guarantees of the Equal Protection Clause. We have never permitted admissions programs to work in that way, and we will not do so today,” Roberts wrote. During oral arguments, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar stressed the unique interests of the military and argued that race-based admissions programs further the nation’s compelling interest of diversity. Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law, said the decision will still not end the legal fight over college admissions. The Supreme Court stepped in to consider the case before it was heard by a federal appeals court.

Persons: John Roberts, “, ” Roberts, Clarence Thomas, ”, ” Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, ” Sotomayor, Sotomayor, Martin Luther King, Jackson, “ ‘, Roberts, Elizabeth Prelogar, ” Jackson, Kevin McCarthy, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Mike Pence, ” Pence, Chuck Schumer, Laura Coates, Steve Vladeck, ” Vladeck, ” Long, SSFA, Loretta C, Biggs, ” Biggs, SFFA, Cameron T, Norris, Harvard “, Prelogar, Lewis F, Powell Jr Organizations: CNN, Harvard, University of North, UNC, Supreme, GOP, Republican, America, Truth, New York Democrat, University of Texas School of Law, Asian, Fair, Court, Middle, Middle District of, University, US, University of California, Bakke Locations: University of North Carolina, Independence, United States, Lower, Middle District, Middle District of North Carolina

That is why, leaders say, HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions will be even more important to students of color should the Supreme Court end affirmative action in college admissions. Allison ShelleyThe Supreme Court is hearing cases that challenge affirmative action policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Although HBCUs are predominantly Black institutions, non-Black students made up 24% of HBCU enrollment in 2020, according to the NCES. That diversity is important to consider amid claims that HBCUs make race-conscious admissions unnecessary, said Marie Bigham, the founder and executive director of the race-conscious admissions advocacy group Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today. Late last month, the coalition and students from across the country protested outside the Supreme Court as it weighed the cases.

☆ How Asian-led student groups are continuing affirmative action fight at Harvard and UNC
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Sakshi Venkatraman | Sakshi Venkatraman Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Due to the conservative majority on the bench, advocates fear this could signal the end of affirmative action. “That really scares me.”Voter surveys show that 69% of Asian Americans support affirmative action. “Affirmative action actually helps Asian Americans in admissions in higher education,” he said. When contacted for a statement, Students for Affirmative Action creator Edward Blum directed NBC News to a pro-SFFA action rally that had Asian speakers. While things might look bleak for the conservative majority’s eventual ruling on affirmative action, she said she’s witnessing a new generation being ushered into caring about inclusion at a systemic level.

☆ Can Harvard Discriminate by Race Forever?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court Justices exhibited supreme patience Monday in hearing nearly four hours of argument in a pair of major cases involving race and college admissions. But the argument was worth the time, because it exposed some unhappy truths about those who believe in the necessity of discriminating by race. The Justices are considering challenges to the admission practices of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, in particular that they discriminate illegally against Asian-Americans in favor of other races. ( Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and SFFA v.

☆ Supreme Court's conservative majority seems open to eliminating affirmative action in university admissions process: 'Why do you have these boxes?'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Supreme Court heard two high-profile challenges to race-conscious university admissions processes. The court's conservatives appeared open to ending race as a factor in university admissions. Thomas, the second Black person to ever serve on the bench, has long been critical of race-conscious admissions policies. They cannot adopt race-conscious admissions and sit back reflexively and let that play out forever into the future," Prelogar said. "At present, it's not possible to achieve that diversity without race-conscious admissions, including at the nation's service academies."

☆ Clarence Thomas says 'I don't have a clue' what 'diversity' means as the Supreme Court tackles affirmative action
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said he didn't know what the word "diversity" meant. The Supreme Court is tackling a case challenging affirmative action in college admissions. "I've heard the word diversity quite a few times and I don't have a clue what it means. The court heard oral arguments Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) vs. the University of North Carolina (UNC), a case centered around the school's admissions process. UNC denied SFFA's allegations, and lower courts sided with the university before the case was brought to the Supreme Court.

☆ Supreme Court could eliminate affirmative action in university admissions as it considers high-profile challenges against Harvard and University of North Carolina
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Students for Fair Admissions wants the Supreme Court to eliminate race as a factor in university admissions. The Supreme Court will hear the two high-profile challenges on Monday. "I represent so many communities in which affirmative action benefits us all the time," Agustín León-Sáenz, a first-generation immigrant from Ecuador and a sophomore at Harvard, told Insider. The Supreme Court has over the years confronted the role of race in university admissions and repeatedly maintained the constitutionality of affirmative action. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its decisions in the pair of cases by June.

☆ The Supreme Court and Racial Preferences
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A great triumph of 20th-century American government was the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It broke the back of Jim Crow and reasserted the principle that no one should be discriminated against for his race. The Supreme Court has a chance to reaffirm that vital American principle on Monday when it hears challenges to the admissions practices at Harvard and the University of North Carolina (Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College and SFFA v. University of North Carolina). The case is an important moment for American law but even more for the country’s social and political future. Yet rather than assimilate this melting pot with race-neutral principles, many in our political class want to divide America into racial categories, allocating jobs, benefits and even elections based on race.

Search resuls for: "SFFA"

19 mentions found