
VPLC Elevates DEI Amid Political Division
Thursday, October 24th, 2024
— By Louis Green, VPLC DEI Director
It is no secret that the upcoming political election has unearthed age-old debates across the sociopolitical landscape. In addition to the usual list of hotly-debated issues within the political space, contemporary elections have been split along racial lines due to arguments on how federal and state institutions should handle matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Many believe that much like the aftermath of civil rights legislation (and the rise of affirmative action) in the 1960s, parts of contemporary society are facing a downturn in racial reckoning with DEI programs in the largest of socio-political crosshairs.
As the leaders of Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) continue to battle for our communities, advocate for our people, and litigate to break down systemic barriers that negatively impact low-income Virginians, it is important that our stance on this issue remain as clear as possible: VPLC is committed to conducting DEI-inspired work for at-risk communities who need assistance breaking the cycle of poverty.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, VPLC has been a leading advocate for legislation that benefits low-income Virginians since 1978. The overall work of VPLC encompasses many areas of legal support, as VPLC is the only statewide organization that provides training to local legal aid program staff, private attorneys, and low-income clients relating exclusively to the legal rights of low-income Virginians. In fact, the goal (and overall mission) of VPLC is to support the very communities most affected by political (and legal) challenges because it is clear that low-income communities are typically the last to receive economic justice during times of hyper-political uncertainty. In a nutshell, we fight for those who may not have the resources or understandings to fight battles on their own, and this is why VPLC remains committed to ‘DEI-type’ work–because we remain committed to our people.
DEI programming (and funding) for state-funded organizations and university systems has come to a screeching halt, especially with the growth of the ‘anti-DEI’ movement following the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020. After hundreds of national protests, companies and organizations across the United States responded to the racial unrest with the increase of programs that help to create a more racially (and socially) inclusive society (and workplace). Those efforts would be more short lived in some areas than others, as DEI programs became a hotly-debated political issue and some states (including some discussions in Virginia) began to ‘roll back’ their support of the programs. In fact, more than 30 states (and more than 100 bills) now restrict, regulate, or outright ban DEI initiatives across the United States, which has led to great concern from some of the communities we support.
Although some ‘anti-DEI’ groups have introduced bills that can/may negatively impact DEI at higher education institutions and publicly-funded programs, VPLC has remained committed to our efforts to support our most vibrant communities and ensure that our legal support is maintained for communities who may need it most.
In the midst of the political firing squad that has mounted up against DEI, VPLC has increased its initiatives and remained committed to DEI-related programming by focusing on the needs of the communities of organizations that can be assisted through effective legal support. For example, VPLC remains steadfast in its efforts to:
Helping legal aid organizations in Virginia to create hiring practices (within each entity) that foster diverse recruitment candidates for staff positions, stakeholders, and board members.
- Share techniques for cultivating and promoting an inclusive work environment that encourages and supports cultural competency and racial equity, with the goal of long-term retention of diverse hires and clients
- Collaborating with all legal aid organizations in Virginia to build upon the foundation of the previously created strategic plan to develop a Diversity Action Plan. This includes measurable goals, milestones, and outcome measures that allow for amicable tracking of progress and continuous refining of plan/tactics.
- Maintain a highly-visible, responsive, and effective social media identity that provides accurate, updated information regarding employment, legal aid community events, and civil justice advocacy
- Working collaboratively with the Training Coordinator of each Virginia legal aid entity to lead efforts to develop training programs for staff and board in the core competencies necessary to build equity and inclusion
- Representing the legal aid community as the DEI leader and lead the committees to forward DEI efforts within the VPLC office and the entire Virginia legal aid community.
In times like this where political battles based on candidates and political parties can become overbearing and domineering, it is important for people to understand where to find support–and VPLC will continue to offer services that will allow for the support of family advocacy, healthy communities, and economic justice for low-income Virginians. This is important because in times of political uncertainty, the at-home issues of low-income families tend to get pushed to the wayside. This is not something that can be taken lightly, and VPLC remains committed to providing support, legal aid, and advocacy in a way where we can be of service to communities that may be negatively affected should anti-DEI make its way to their area.
In addition to great work in the space of support and advocacy, VPLC has continually been on the front lines in gaining more resources to support communities in need! Overall efforts will soon be expanded by the recent receipt of a $1M grant from Yield Giving (charitable organization by Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott) that “will help VPLC expand its legal resources and online tools to assist thousands of additional Virginians by providing one-of-a-kind, multi-format, self-help materials.”
The grant is just another way that VPLC continues to work on the acquisition of resources that will stand to benefit the communities who need it most, and the great work of VPLC will continue to include a focus on uplifting communities through careful operationalization of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Louis Green, VPLC DEI Director