Shanequa Smith, one of the founders of Black Policy Day, speaks during the fourth annual event at the state Capitol Monday, March 10, 2025, in Charleston, W.Va. Black Policy Day draws people from around the state to advocate for policies that affect the Black community. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)
As West Virginia leaders move forward with a plan to eliminate state-funded diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, some visitors to the state Capitol on Monday would like them to reconsider.
“I really would like them to look into why they are wanting to rid diversity, equity and inclusion in a state that’s not as diverse as others,” said Shante Ellis, the community enrichment executive director for the YWCA of Charleston and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. “It’s a really good time to stay inclusive, especially if we’re wanting to bring big businesses here to the state.”
Ellis was one of the dozens of people who participated in Black Policy Day at the West Virginia Legislature Monday. In its fourth year, the event draws people from around the state to advocate for policies that affect the Black community.
Incentivizing diversity and inclusion is just one part of a long list of policies community members would like to see this year. That seems unlikely after Gov. Patrick Morrisey, following the lead of President Donald Trump, signed an executive order ending state funding for DEI initiatives. Legislation that would prohibit DEI programs was approved recently by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Ellis said ending DEI would probably have a huge effect on businesses considering locating in the state.
“Some of the larger businesses want to be diverse, and probably already are diverse,” Ellis said. “And when I talk about diversity, it’s not just race. It’s about the veterans, it’s about women, it’s about people with disabilities. It’s about all of those things that encompass being a diverse company. And usually bigger companies like that want to be in a place where they can still be as diverse as they want.”
Shanequa Smith, one of the founders of Black Policy Day, said ending DEI would hurt a lot of people.
“We call this Black Policy Day because we have to make a bold statement, to let people know a lot of spaces are not created for us, and this is not exclusive to Black people,” Smith said “…We do deserve space, just like women deserve space. Kids deserve space. Men deserve space. Black people deserve space. And it’s sad that until this day, we still have to create space, because it’s not automatically given to us.”
Other policies on the list of priorities this year include creating a state child tax credit, investments in re-entry support for people leaving jail and prison, and policies that improve Black infant and maternal health, among others.
Smith said it’s important for lawmakers to know what the Black community needs from them.
“I think it’s very important for people to feel comfortable [here],” she said. “Some people said this is the first time they’ve ever stepped foot in this building, so this is awesome for them.”
Smith said she’d like to see lawmakers give more support for child care and children.
“When you take care of the children, you take care of the people.” she said.
Martec Washington, a resident of Charleston’s West Side, said he’d like to see lawmakers focus on what he sees as the real issues facing West Virginia.
“We have kids that are missing, we have tons of stuff going on with [Child Protective Services]. They still don’t have clean water in Southern West Virginia,” Washington said. “They’re still reeling from flood issues, and the first piece of legislation this organization wants to send out is changing a mountain’s name to Trump Mountain,” Washington said, referencing a resolution introduced last month that has since stalled.
“That shows me that you’re not focused on any of the people or the real things that are going on in West Virginia,” he said. “So I wanted to be sure to come out so that these people could actually face me. So you could give me a real answer of why you think worrying about everything other than health care, education, finances or the future of West Virginia isn’t important, but naming the mountain is.”
Washington said he’s been disgusted by the backward thinking behind the efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“DEI does more than just protecting Black and brown people,” he said. “It’s really to make sure that people have access to come up here to the second floor with the elevator. That’s what DEI is. It’s making sure that people who are blind have some way of reading when they come to the Legislature or when they’re in school. It’s to make sure that people like my grandmother, who is a deaf, mute person, has somebody signing so that way she’s not missing anything because she’s still paying taxes.”
“So do you not care about the disabled?” he said. “I mean are we going backwards or forwards?”
Washington said he’d like to see lawmakers pass the Crown Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on hairstyle. The bill is introduced yearly and usually sits dormant. Last year the Senate judiciary passed the bill but the legislation died after Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr referred it to his committee and declined to take it up over potential costs.
To Washington, the legislation is simple. He doesn’t understand why lawmakers haven’t passed it.
“That is something that not only protects Black and brown people, but people of all colors,” he said. “White people have dreads. White people color their hair. They like to get braids. But they don’t fear getting evicted or kicked out or having to be kicked out of a whole entire event because you have dreads. I’m competing in a sport. What does my hair have to do with it? It’s not giving me some sort of advantage.”
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