Abstract: This roundtable discussion offers a multidimensional examination of the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within the advertising and communication industries amid shifting political, cultural, and economic pressures. Across the conversation, speakers trace how resistance to DEIA has intensified, particularly among younger white men, and situate this backlash within broader anxieties about demographic change, perceived competition, and the persistence of excluding minoritized groups. Participants highlight structural and cultural barriers that continue to undermine equitable workforce development, including unpaid internships, unequal exposure to P&L (Profit and Loss) management, risk aversion among senior leaders of color, and the dismantling of institutional watchdogs. The group also underscores the essential role of mentorship, internal advocacy, strategic networking, and cross-racial coalition-building in countering these barriers. Through personal narratives and professional cases, the speakers illustrate how DEIA progress depends not only on organizational policy but on collective responsibility, courageous leadership, and the preservation of authentic, community-centered storytelling in advertising. Together, these insights reveal both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry as it confronts a political climate increasingly hostile to DEIA and strives to build more inclusive pathways for the next generation of practitioners.
Dillard et al. (Sun,) studied this question.