Black to Work: Thriving as DEI Declines

In the latest session of Alkeme Health’s Black to Work series, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor Giorgio Chatelain returned with a clear, timely focus: how Black professionals can protect their mental health and reclaim their agency amid the ongoing rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.

As Giorgio put it, “This isn’t just about succeeding at work — it’s about sustaining your well-being in a climate that’s actively challenging your presence and value.”

The DEI Landscape: A Reality Check

Over the past year, the corporate world has seen a staggering 40% decline in DEI leadership roles and a 35% drop in DEI budgets. Meanwhile, 60% of companies have scaled back diversity hiring efforts. These numbers aren’t just statistics — they reflect a troubling shift that’s eroding the progress many have fought for.

This retreat from equity-driven initiatives is part of a broader pattern of neglect that extends far beyond the workplace. According to McKinsey, 25% of Black consumers are dissatisfied with financial and wellness services, compared to just 15% of non-Black consumers​. Why? Because these services often lack cultural resonance, equitable access, or representation in design and delivery. Black communities regularly face higher costs, fewer options, and lower quality experiences — especially in areas like financial planning, healthcare, and mental wellness. This dissatisfaction speaks to a deeper, systemic underinvestment in institutions meant to serve them — mirroring the very pullback we’re seeing across corporate DEI spaces.

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Thriving on Your Terms: 

So how do we navigate a workplace where the DEI scaffolding is collapsing?

Giorgio offered several grounding tactics:

1. Prioritize Your Mental Health

“Your career can’t thrive if you’re emotionally depleted,” Giorgio stressed. He encouraged Black professionals to actively build a mental wellness plan — one that includes therapy, community dialogue, and cultural connection.

Alkeme Health is answering this call with our growing network of Black therapists, a wellness app, and curated self-care content built specifically for the Black community​.

2. Be Visible, But Intentional

Visibility is power, but not without strategy. Giorgio recommended identifying safe spaces to share ideas and values while being mindful of where and how you show up in environments that may be shifting away from inclusion.

3. Curate Your Circle

Support networks are more essential than ever. Giorgio underscored the importance of cultivating a resilience circle — colleagues, mentors, and mental health professionals who truly get it. Not just for validation, but for strategy and sustainability.

This aligns with broader findings: Nearly 45% of Black private-sector workers are concentrated in frontline service roles, yet face steep drop-offs in advancement to leadership​. That isolation in leadership roles in particular underscores the need for peer and mentor relationships that affirm your worth and navigate shared challenges.

Why Community Care is Corporate Strategy

The rollback of DEI is short-sighted. McKinsey projects that Black consumer economic power will rise from $910 billion in 2019 to $1.7 trillion by 2030​. Companies that turn away from cultural alignment risk missing out on both positive social sentiment and economic growth.

Alkeme Health’s mission — to build Generational Health through culturally aligned mental health care — stands at the intersection of well-being and wealth building. Our platform is not just about individual therapy, it is about shifting the system by starting with the self.

Closing Words: Show Up Whole

In Giorgio’s words: “You deserve to be whole, not just hired.” As Black professionals navigate these uncertain times, the answer isn't to assimilate harder — it’s to care louder, organize smarter, and root deeper in what replenishes you.

🖤 Join the Movement

Explore how Alkeme is supporting Black professionals through accessible therapy, wellness content, and community-building experiences at alkemehealth.com.

🎥 To watch the full recording, click here.