DEI Is Gone. Now What? With HR Insider Kevin Calhoun
DEI Is Gone. Now What? With HR Insider Kevin Calhoun  
Podcast: Culture Changers with Allison Hare
Published On: Thu Jun 18 2026
Description: Kevin Calhoun spent years doing HR and DEI work from inside some of the biggest corporations in the world. He watched those programs get built. Then he watched them get dismantled — and found himself displaced in the process. In this conversation, recorded in honor of Juneteenth, Kevin introduces the concept of James Crow: Jim Crow's more dangerous, more invisible cousin. The one with a hiring algorithm instead of a shotgun. Notable Timestamps (verify against final audio before publishing) 03:03 — Kevin reads from his article "James Crow and Visa, Everywhere You Want to Be" — the line that stopped Allison cold 04:37 — How corporate culture shifted from servant leadership to "we're going in a different direction" 07:40 — The grief nobody talks about: losing your corporate identity in a 30-minute meeting 09:05 — The stats: DEI fell 98% in Fortune 100 communications; Black unemployment now twice white unemployment 11:47 — Performative DEI vs. real DEI — how to tell the difference 13:49 — Costco held the line against 19 attorney generals. Why some companies stay and others fold. 15:15 — What Kevin learned about not seeking validation from your organization 17:15 — The pendulum: why organizations that hold their values win long-term 20:38 — Jim Crow vs. James Crow — Kevin defines the difference 28:15 — Code switching, agency, and choosing when to show up fully as yourself 33:24 — How to find your way forward when the system has failed you 36:56 — "No company loves you." What Kevin knows that he wishes more people understood 38:58 — If you know the rules of the game before you start playing, you can't be mad if you don't win Rather watch on YouTube? https://youtu.be/ixqV4X5EqJ8 Resources & Links Mentioned Kevin's article: "James Crow and Visa, Everywhere You Want to Be" - available on Substack and Medium Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-calhoun-0808882/ Kevin's email: jkevin.calhoun@gmail.com Book a free podcast clarity call with Allison: allisonhare.com/freecall Be sure to rate, review, and follow this podcast on your player and also, connect with me IRL for more goodness and life-changing stuff.Schedule a FREE podcast clarity call with me - Your future audience is out there. Talk to them!Sign up for the free weekly emailAllisonHare.comFollow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.DOWNLOAD the free podcast equipment guide- No guesswork, no google rabbit holes, start recording todayReb3l Dance Fitness - Try it at home! Free month with this link.Feedback and Contact:: allison@allisonhare.com