Senior U.S. Business Executives Value DEI Initiatives New Survey Reveals

[HOUSTON, TX - February 8, 2024] The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) celebrates new data released today from a new national survey of senior executives in large companies which reveals a strong consensus across political affiliations that diversity initiatives are critical for business strategies, create significant value, and will become increasingly important.

The survey found that "the majority of senior executives across political affiliations said diversity initiatives play a critical role in the success of their companies, with 75% of self-described conservative executives, 77% of moderates, and 89% of liberals, all recognizing the positive contributions of diversity initiatives to their business performance. 

Moreover, 63% of senior executives reported that their commitment to diversity as a corporate objective has increased in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in higher education and an open letter from Republican Attorneys General threatening litigation.” 

The national survey was conducted in December 2023 by Morning Consult for the Public Private Strategies Institute. 

“The numbers speak volumes – more than 80% of business leaders consider diversity initiatives essential to their business strategy, and the vast majority believe such initiatives will grow in importance in the future. The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce works with business leaders every day who are equally committed to diversity and inclusion efforts for their companies and this data shows they are in good company. As one of the most diverse cities in the country, it is more critical than ever for major employers in Houston and the Greater Houston region to increase their focus on diversity initiatives," said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber supports an open letter to Fortune 500 CEOs calling upon them to maintain and expand business diversity initiatives for the good of bottom lines and the economy. The letter was signed by business leaders from organizations including US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). 

“The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce commends this group of business leaders for asking these CEOs to not bow to political pressure from a vocal minority, but instead remain steadfast in their public support for diversity and inclusion efforts within their companies. The LGBTQ+ employees within these companies deserve support from the highest level and the data is clear, supporting them is good for the bottom line and the economy of Houston and beyond,” Wallace said.