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Orange County Suspends DEI and Sustainability Committees

Representation of the vibrant arts and culture scene in Orange County, focusing on diversity and sustainability.

News Summary

Orange County has suspended its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Sustainability committees in a move influenced by federal directives under the Trump administration. This decision impacts the county’s approach to arts funding and advocacy, as both committees played vital roles in promoting racial equity and environmental sustainability. Concerns are being raised about the potential effects on smaller arts organizations, particularly those focused on minority representation, amid shifts in compliance with federal regulations.

Orange County has suspended the activities of two important committees aimed at promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and sustainability. This decision, made on May 14, 2025, was largely influenced by federal directives issued by the Trump administration, specifically an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”, which was enacted in January 2025.

The suspended committees include the DEI committee, which was established in response to the urgent national need to address racial inequity following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and the Sustainability Committee, formed under former Mayor Teresa Jacobs to advocate for environmentally sustainable practices. Both committees had a vital role in the Orange County Arts & Culture Advisory Council, which oversees funding and initiatives in the local arts sector.

The council approved the suspension with an 8 to 1 vote, aligning with a requirement from the federal executive order that mandates federal contractors and grant recipients to verify that they do not run “illegal” DEI programs, imposing potential liability for those who fail to comply. Given the county’s reliance on hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds, the decision was deemed necessary to maintain compliance with federal regulations.

In addition to suspending the committees, the council also voted to remove the term “diverse” from the goals and mission statement of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Office, further reflecting the shift in focus brought about by the new federal directives. Stakeholders in the arts community have expressed mixed feelings, with some understanding the need for compliance while others have voiced their discontent about the constraints imposed by federal policies.

Notably, the DEI and Sustainability committees were tasked with distributing approximately $100,000 each from the overall grant budget, which has grown significantly over the years, from around $500,000 at its inception to approximately $15 million today. Concerns have been raised that the suspension of these committees could disproportionately impact smaller arts organizations, particularly those focused on minority representation, as they usually lack the resources that larger organizations possess.

The economic implications of arts and culture in Florida are substantial, contributing $50 billion to the state’s economy, which represents 3.2% of its total. However, state funding for the arts has seen considerable cuts in recent years, especially under Governor Ron DeSantis, who enacted vetoes that removed $32 million in arts funding. This trend has raised alarms within local arts organizations already grappling with a challenging funding landscape.

Furthermore, the Trump administration’s focus on an anti-DEI agenda has extended beyond Orange County, affecting various government programs and initiatives that support minority communities. In 2023, Florida lawmakers passed legislation to eliminate DEI programs in public higher education, a move met with legal challenges and widespread protests.

As Orange County reevaluates its cultural spending in light of federal directives, Mayor Jerry Demings has indicated that compliance may necessitate a reassessment of spending priorities, particularly concerning cultural tourism and diversification efforts. In a bid to promote the local arts scene amidst these challenges, United Arts, under CEO Jessica Evans, has launched a new website, artsinorlando.com, to highlight and support local artistic endeavors.

In summary, the suspension of the DEI and Sustainability Committees by the Orange County Arts & Culture Advisory Council marks a significant shift in the region’s approach to arts funding and advocacy, driven largely by federal compliance requirements that challenge the promotion of inclusion and sustainability in the arts.