PBS has officially closed its office dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a move that follows recent executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at eliminating what he termed "wasteful" DEI programs across various government sectors. The announcement was confirmed by PBS on Monday, marking a significant shift in the organization’s approach to these initiatives.
The decision to shutter the DEI office comes in direct response to legal counsel’s guidance regarding compliance with the President’s orders. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger communicated the closure in a memo to staff, noting that the office’s staff members, including Senior Vice President Cecilia Loving and Director Gina Leow, would be departing from the organization.
In her statement, Kerger emphasized PBS’s commitment to its mission of serving diverse American communities, asserting that the organization will continue to be a welcoming environment for all. “Our mission is to educate, engage, and inspire the wide variety of American communities we serve will continue to be at the center of our work,” she wrote, reaffirming PBS’s dedication to inclusivity despite the office’s closure.
Loving, who had been with PBS since 2021, was tasked with enhancing the organization’s internal commitment to DEI and collaborating with public television stations to support their ongoing efforts in this area. Leow joined PBS in the same year, contributing to the organization’s DEI initiatives.
The closure of the DEI office underscores the broader implications of the President’s executive orders, which have sparked debate over the role of DEI programs in federal agencies and organizations. As PBS moves forward, it remains to be seen how this decision will affect its outreach and engagement with diverse communities across the nation.