In an internal email to Cast Members sent earlier today, Disney announced several significant changes to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The email, sent by Chief Human Resources Officer Sonia Coleman, outlines the company’s decision to update its DEI messaging in response to evolving priorities. The move comes after recent reports revealed that Disney had begun scaling back its DEI-related messaging aimed at investors.
As part of this shift, Disney has confirmed that it will be discontinuing its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative and redirecting its focus on a newly rebranded inclusion platform. BlogMickey.com reported that the “Reimagine Tomorrow” website, which previously served as the company’s key DEI hub, has now been replaced by a more traditional Inclusion page on Disney’s corporate site.
Disney Shakes Up DEI Messaging: A New Direction
The email from Coleman outlines several key changes that will impact the way Disney implements its DEI strategy moving forward. While some of these changes have already been noticed by industry observers, others mark a significant shift in how the company plans to integrate DEI into its operations. Here’s an overview of the major updates:
- Shift from “Diversity & Inclusion” to “Talent Strategy”: A major change coming this fiscal year is the replacement of Disney’s “Diversity & Inclusion” performance factor, which had previously been used to evaluate executive compensation. This will be replaced by a new factor called “Talent Strategy.” While this factor will still take DEI into account, the emphasis will now be placed on how talent and values can contribute to long-term business success. This shift signals a move away from treating DEI as a standalone initiative and instead embedding it into the broader corporate strategy.
- End of “Reimagine Tomorrow”: Disney will officially be retiring its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, which had been used to showcase stories and talent from underrepresented communities. This initiative has already been replaced by a revamped hub on Disney’s corporate website, marking a shift in how the company highlights its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Renaming Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Another significant change is the rebranding of Disney’s “Business” Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) to “Belonging” Employee Resource Groups. The transformation, which began last year, is meant to focus on the role of these groups in fostering a stronger sense of community and belonging within the company. Disney’s decision to shift its language from “business” to “belonging” highlights the company’s intention to integrate inclusivity into the overall workplace experience, rather than merely treating it as a tool for business goals.
- Updates to Movie Disclaimers on Disney+: In addition to these organizational changes, Axios reports that Disney will be removing the auto-play disclaimers that previously appeared before certain films on Disney+. These disclaimers, which warned viewers about outdated depictions or stereotypes, will no longer automatically pop up when viewers select certain films. Instead, the warning will now be moved to the written details section for these movies. This shift comes after Disney introduced warnings for films such as Dumbo, Peter Pan, and The Jungle Book that highlighted negative portrayals of race and culture.
A Look at the Stereotype Warnings on Disney+ Content
For some context, Disney+ had previously added disclaimers to several films in its library, including classics such as Dumbo, Peter Pan, and The Jungle Book. These disclaimers stated: “This programme includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures,” followed by the message, “These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.” Disney explained that it wanted to acknowledge the harmful impact of such content rather than remove it, promoting discussion and education to create a more inclusive future.
Films like The Aristocats and Lady and the Tramp were also included in the warning initiative, with The Aristocatsfeaturing a character drawn as a racist stereotype of an Asian person, and Lady and the Tramp containing several instances of racial and cultural stereotyping.
However, the new approach to these warnings signals a significant change. As Disney moves away from the automatic disclaimers, it will rely on more passive language placed in the written movie descriptions for viewers to engage with, possibly to avoid further alienating audiences.
What the Changes Mean for Disney’s DEI Strategy
This shift in Disney’s DEI messaging is the latest in a series of changes at the company, which have come in response to both internal pressures and external factors, including the shifting political climate. Under CEO Bob Iger, Disney had previously made bold moves, including publicly opposing the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida in 2022. This was part of Disney’s broader commitment to social justice, but the latest changes signal a move in a different direction.
In fact, Disney appears to be recalibrating its DEI efforts in response to broader political concerns, particularly with a second Trump administration on the horizon. While the company continues to support some inclusivity measures, it seems to be scaling back efforts that could invite backlash from more conservative factions of its audience.
Iger himself has spoken on the matter, emphasizing the need for balance in the company’s content and approach. At a 2022 town hall, Iger mentioned that while Disney would continue to do what it believed was right, it also needed to be mindful of audience reactions. This shift in tone is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests that Disney may be prioritizing its financial and reputational concerns over its previous focus on progressive values.
The Future of DEI at Disney
As Disney moves forward, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the company’s relationship with its employees, customers, and investors. The shift away from a more expansive DEI focus could leave many questioning Disney’s commitment to diversity, especially within the workplace.
For Cast Members, the rebranding of Employee Resource Groups and the focus on “belonging” may still hold promise for fostering a more inclusive company culture. However, the scaling back of DEI messaging in other areas may raise concerns, particularly among those who have been vocal about the importance of social justice issues.
In the coming months, it will be important to monitor how Disney communicates its evolving DEI strategy and whether these changes are seen as a regression by its diverse audience and workforce. As the company seeks to find a new balance in a complex political and social landscape, the impact of these changes will become clearer with time.
