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We’ve been fighting for years to get the federal government to share data on the diversity of the companies it contracts with. On Monday, those efforts finally paid off: The Department of Labor released the corporate diversity reports of more than 19,000 federal contractors.
The reports show that executives at companies that receive billions of dollars in federal contracts were less likely to reflect America’s diversity than their employees, according to a first-ever analysis by USA TODAY and Reveal.
People of color were underrepresented among executives at these corporations compared with the rest of their workforce, the analysis showed. And women were less likely than men to break into top ranks, particularly those of color.
The data is the largest trove of corporate diversity information ever made public. More than 4,000 companies have objected to releasing their reports, and their information remains in limbo pending further litigation.
The disparities highlight how tax dollars can reinforce gaps in wealth and opportunity for women and people of color. Joseph Bryant Jr., who leads the Rainbow PUSH Silicon Valley diversity project founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said public money should advance equity in the country.
“Either the government should be giving more money to minority businesses or the government should be giving money to businesses that make diversity and inclusion a priority,” he said.
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