The Impact Report: DEI, Voting Rights ACT Anniversary and Disinformation Lab
From viral soundbites to sweeping policies, the world is undergoing rapid shifts. As headlines bounce between courtroom drama and campaign rallies, it’s easy to miss how every move is already reshaping the lives of Black Americans.
The Impact Report is your weekly breakdown of what is happening from Capitol Hill to the campaign trail—and how those actions affect our communities. Whether it's a Supreme Court ruling, a policy proposal, or a speech riddled with misinformation, we're sifting through the chaos to present you with an accurate and thoroughly researched report.
Poll Signals Waning Faith in DEI
An Associated Press-NORC poll (survey of 1,437 U.S. adults, July 10–14, 2025) finds only 40% believe DEI programs help address bias against Black people—marking a notable decline in public support. Meanwhile, 74% of Black respondents say their communities still experience significant discrimination.
Why This Matters: This growing disconnect between public perception and Black lived experience could have tangible consequences—fueling anti-DEI policies and weakening institutional support for racial equity in education, healthcare, and the workplace.
60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
As the nation marks 60 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, concerns are rising over recent state-level laws that civil rights groups say disproportionately suppress Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian American, and youth votes, according to reports. Sen. Raphael Warnock has reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore protections stripped by the Supreme Court in 2013.
Why This Matters: With the 2026 midterms approaching, these barriers could drastically alter representation at every level of government, particularly for Black communities already facing systemic voter suppression.
Launch of Onyx Impact’s Disinformation Lab
Onyx Impact launched its Information Integrity Lab to fight targeted misinformation campaigns against Black audiences. According to Axios, the initiative will fund Black journalists, track disinformation trends, and use AI to help voters and content creators separate fact from fiction.
Why This Matters: Disinformation is a threat to democracy. When false narratives go unchecked, they can suppress voter turnout, mislead about health and economic policy, and undermine trust in Black-led institutions.
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