Disney Drops DEI in Favor of “Belonging”: Employees to Join “Global Belonging Week” Starting Monday

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The Walt Disney Company is shifting its focus from “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) to “belonging.” Following changes within the company after the last presidential election – including the removal of programs like “Reimagine Tomorrow” – Disney will launch a new employee program next week centered around the idea of fostering a sense of belonging, rather than focusing on DEI initiatives.

This is the memo Disney sent out earlier this week, which Business Insider also reported on, announcing their “Global Belonging Week.”

Join us for Disney’s first-ever Global Belonging Week, October 20–24, 2025! This event is for Disney employees only and will include both virtual and in-person activities.

We’re excited to offer opportunities for all employees to build a stronger sense of belonging and help them succeed. When everyone feels included and supported, we all contribute to the special experience Disney creates!

Join us for a week of events celebrating our vibrant culture and encouraging everyone to thrive! Throughout the week, you can expect inspiring talks from keynote speakers, interactive sessions focused on inclusion and belonging, and chances to connect with colleagues. Plus, you’ll have opportunities to volunteer with Disney VoluntEARS.

You don’t need to register! Check out the events below and add them to your calendar. Please note this is an event for Disney employees only.

Here’s the schedule for Disney’s “Global Belonging Week”:

Monday, October 20, 2025: Opening Keynote and Kickoff
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

Featuring:
* Arda Ocal (Host, ESPN)
* Jill Estorino (President & Managing Director, Disney Parks International)
* Rita Ferro (President, Global Disney Advertising)
* Joe Earley (President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment)
* Renato D’Angelo (General Manager Brazil & Head of Marketing Out-of-Home LATAM, The Walt Disney Company)
* Tinisha Agramonte (SVP and Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer, The Walt Disney Company)
* Sonia Coleman (Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, The Walt Disney Company)

Join us on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT for a discussion titled ‘Belonging and Thriving: Journeys from Humble Beginnings to First Generation Corporate Professionals’. The event will be moderated by Tinisha Agramonte, SVP and Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer at The Walt Disney Company, and feature speakers Sonia Coleman, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at The Walt Disney Company, and Robert Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Partners Federal Credit Union.

Art of Belonging: Moana
1:00 PM — 1:30 PM PDT / 4:00 PM — 4:30 PM EDT

Join us for a livestream event on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT) right here on this page! The discussion, titled ‘Telling Stories That Resonate: The Global Impact of Lilo & Stitch,’ will feature Anastasia Ali, Vice President of Inclusive Marketing & Audience Growth at The Walt Disney Company, as moderator. Speakers include Maddie Woods and Megan Denman, both Directors at The Walt Disney Studios.

Join Patrice Borders on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Pacific Time (12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time) for a discussion on building a welcoming environment through strong relationships. You can watch the live event right here on this page.

Join us for ‘Art of Belonging: Encanto’ – a livestream event happening from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM Pacific Time / 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time. You can watch the livestream right here on this event page.

I’m so excited for the closing event of Global Belonging Week on Friday, October 24th! It’s happening from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Pacific Time (that’s 4:00 to 5:00 PM Eastern), and the keynote speaker is Juju Chang, the co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline”! I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.

Watch the video ‘Cross Cultural Connections: Where Belonging Begins’ anytime during Global Belonging Week. It’s available on demand!

Belong & Thrive: Celebrating Diversity, Support, and Inclusion. This video will be available on this page during Global Belonging Week.

Disney’s shift in approach comes after NBC significantly reduced its diversity team at Comcast.

NBC News recently underwent a significant restructuring, laying off approximately 150 employees – around 7% of its news staff, though NBC claims the number is closer to 2%. This move is part of a larger reorganization within Comcast as it prepares to separate its cable business into a new company called Versant.

NBC significantly scaled back its diversity-focused editorial teams, including those responsible for content under brands like NBC BLK, NBC Asian America, NBC Latino, and NBC Out. While NBC says these initiatives will continue in some form with contributions from across the newsroom, the dedicated staff and specific focus that previously supported them have been eliminated.

You’re right if you’ve noticed companies quietly moving away from using the term “DEI” like they did over the past ten years. Whether this trend will reverse with a change in political climate is uncertain. Ultimately, it’s hard to predict what company leaders will consider true “belonging” beyond simply adopting the latest popular phrase or initiative.

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2025-10-17 20:58