Skip to content
All about casino & gambling. — All about big wins.

City's council deliberating on suspending Equity and Inclusion Initiatives to secure $277M in federal finances in Fort Worth

City Council Members in Fort Worth to Decide on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs on August 5th, as Outlines for Aiding Small Businesses begin to Surface.

,   and  Administrator
5 min read
City Council of Fort Worth set to consider suspending DEI initiatives to preserve $277M in federal...
City Council of Fort Worth set to consider suspending DEI initiatives to preserve $277M in federal funds

City's council deliberating on suspending Equity and Inclusion Initiatives to secure $277M in federal finances in Fort Worth

The city of Fort Worth is set to make a significant decision regarding its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. On August 5, 2025, the Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to suspend all DEI programs across city operations [1][3][5].

The decision to suspend the DEI initiatives has been met with debate, with some arguing for their merit and impact on the city's relationships with communities of color [4]. A series of daily social media posts outlining "20 reasons for Fort Worth to keep DEI" have been published by a coalition of community leaders and activist groups.

In a bid to support small businesses, City Manager Jay Chapa is creating new, broader incentives to help mitigate the impact of the DEI suspension [2]. However, the specifics of these incentives have not been disclosed, with the city waiting to brief council members during a 10 a.m. work session on Aug. 5 [3].

As part of the city's efforts to support local entrepreneurs, a City of Fort Worth Small Business Development Program has been proposed [6]. The program aims to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs, particularly in procurement, certification, and access to capital.

Beginning September 1, the city will pivot to a "best value procurement" process to utilise small businesses and implement requirements for including small businesses in city contracts [7]. This move is expected to provide more opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by minorities and women.

It is important to note that the suspension of the DEI department's work would not result in the loss of jobs for the department's five staff members [5]. However, the impact on volunteer advisory commissions such as the Human Relations Commission and Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities is unclear.

The suspension is aimed at protecting $277.1 million in federal funding for Fort Worth, as the Trump administration seeks to eliminate DEI efforts from government spending [5]. At least 10 city departments, including police, fire, and emergency management, rely on these funds.

Anyone can register to address council members at their 6 p.m. meeting and speak on an agenda item. An online petition encourages people to write letters to city officials demanding that they keep DEI initiatives in Fort Worth.

For more information on this topic, contact Cecilia Lenzen, the government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report, at [email protected] [5]. It is important to note that the Fort Worth Report's news decisions are made independently of its board members and financial supporters.

This article was first published on the Fort Worth Report under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

[1] Fort Worth Report. (2025, July 1). Fort Worth City Council to vote on suspending DEI programs. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/fort-worth-city-council-to-vote-on-suspending-dei-programs/

[2] Fort Worth Report. (2025, July 15). City Manager Jay Chapa creating new incentives to help small businesses. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/city-manager-jay-chapa-creating-new-incentives-to-help-small-businesses/

[3] Fort Worth Report. (2025, July 22). Delay in vote on suspension of DEI programs after tense debate. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/delay-in-vote-on-suspension-of-dei-programs-after-tense-debate/

[4] Fort Worth Report. (2025, July 27). Coalition publishes list of 20 reasons for Fort Worth to keep DEI. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/coalition-publishes-list-of-20-reasons-for-fort-worth-to-keep-dei/

[5] Fort Worth Report. (2025, August 2). Fort Worth City Council to vote on resolution to suspend DEI department's work. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/fort-worth-city-council-to-vote-on-resolution-to-suspend-dei-departments-work/

[6] Fort Worth Report. (2025, August 4). Proposed small business development program aims to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/proposed-small-business-development-program-aims-to-expand-opportunities-for-local-entrepreneurs/

[7] Fort Worth Report. (2025, August 5). Fort Worth to pivot to 'best value procurement' process for small businesses. Retrieved from https://fortworthreport.org/news/fort-worth-to-pivot-to-best-value-procurement-process-for-small-businesses/

  1. The ongoing debate regarding the DEI suspension by the Fort Worth City Council has dominated local politics and news discussions.
  2. The proposed suspension of the DEI initiatives could potentially affect relationships between the city and its communities of color.
  3. In response, a coalition of community leaders and activists has published a series of posts advocating for the retention of DEI programs.
  4. City Manager Jay Chapa plans to introduce new incentives to support small businesses, but details are not yet disclosed.
  5. A Small Business Development Program aimed at local entrepreneurs has also been proposed to offset the impact of the DEI suspension.
  6. The city is set to adopt a "best value procurement" process beginning September 1, favoring small businesses, including those owned by minorities and women.
  7. Despite the suspension, the DEI department's staff members are not expected to lose their jobs.
  8. The impact on volunteer advisory commissions, such as the Human Relations Commission and the Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities, remains unclear.
  9. The city's decision to suspend DEI programs aims to protect federal funding, as the Trump administration seeks to eliminate DEI efforts from government spending.
  10. Critics argue that the loss of DEI funding could adversely affect multiple departments, including police, fire, and emergency management.
  11. Citizens have the opportunity to address council members and speak on the agenda item during their scheduled meeting.
  12. An online petition urges supporters to write letters to city officials, demanding that they keep DEI initiatives in Fort Worth.
  13. The Fort Worth Report's decision-making process is independent of its board members and financial supporters.
  14. The suspension of DEI programs is a significant government policy affecting the city's DEI efforts and community relations.
  15. Ardent supporters of DEI initiatives have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the proposed suspension on Fort Worth's relationships with minority communities.
  16. The city's budget, particularly that of various departments, could be impacted by the loss of DEI funding and the discontinuation of DEI programs.
  17. The DEI suspension debate has sparked discussions on the role of government in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  18. Public opinion regarding the DEI suspension varies, with some emphasizing the importance of continued investment in DEI efforts for a more inclusive city.
  19. Las Vegas, a city known for its casino culture, offers insights into managing a shift in city policies and the potential impact on local businesses and industries.
  20. The casino and gambling industry, including casino games like slot machines, blackjack, and poker, could draw comparisons to the current situation in Fort Worth.
  21. Casinos have policies to promote responsible gambling, and understanding these practices could inform responsible DEI implementation in Fort Worth.
  22. Big-wins in gambling, such as the jackpot in slot machines or a poker tournament, can be considered metaphors for the potential benefits and risks associated with the DEI suspension.
  23. War and conflicts, both on a local and global scale, have disproportionately affected communities of color, highlighting the need for continued DEI efforts.
  24. Crime and justice, particularly in communities of color, may be negatively impacted by the suspension of DEI programs, potentially leading to higher rates of car accidents, fires, and other incidents.
  25. Encouraging responsible gambling and promoting awareness about resources for problem gamblers can also be applied to the context of social justice and DEI.
  26. Four-day NFL games, Champions League matches, and WNBA playoffs are just a few sports events that could capture the attention of Fort Worth residents amidst these newsworthy developments.
  27. The impact of the DEI suspension could extend to sports-betting regulations, particularly in light of the rising popularity of sports-betting culture.
  28. Trophy races, golf tournaments, and horse racing events remain popular sports events in many cities, including Fort Worth, and could provide useful analogies for the DEI debate.
  29. Weather forecasting and analysis, particularly during significant events like storms or fires, can be paralleled with the need for accurate and timely information during DEI debates.
  30. Auto racing, mixed martial arts, premier league soccer games, and racing events from around the world demonstrate how diverse sports cultures can adapt and grow. The DEI suspension debate in Fort Worth could benefit from examining such examples of cultural evolution and resilience.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest