Written By Lexx Thornton
AT&T refused to follow Verizon in rolling back DEI policies amid federal pressure. AT&Tstands firm on DEI values regardless of government pressures they have received. While Verizon recently bowed to federal pressure from the Trump administration to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, AT&T is taking a different stance. CEO John Stankey made itperfectly clear that the company has no plans to roll back its DEI policies. According to him,AT&T has always been about merit, offering everyone a fair shot to grow, thrive, and belong at the company.
AT&T’s recent decision to maintain its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies has not led to significant changes in its stock performance. As of June 3, 2025, AT&T’s stock is trading at $27.93, reflecting a modest 0.54% increase from the previous close. This stability contrasts with the experiences of other companies that have scaled back DEI initiatives.For instance, Target’s stock declined by approximately $27.27 per share in February 2025, erasing about $12.4 billion in market value, following its decision to abandon its DEI commitments.
Stankey believes that AT&T’s values not only align with business goals but also contribute to broader goals like job creation, which the administration claims to support. Unlike some tech companies that have backed away from openly celebrating Black culture and contributions, AT&T remains committed. The company has had several influential Black leaders over the yearsand continues to spotlight Black excellence