We’re all pretty familiar with the David and Goliath story, right? It has come to symbolize the little guy taking on the big bad behemoth. It’s how I think of 8THIRTYFOUR, us standing there shaking our fist at all the bullies in this world, and there are a lot.
I’ve had people give me advice on how I approach social injustice or issues. Anything from “don’t show them your hand, keep things closer to the chest, don’t make yourself a target, don’t jeopardize your business/revenue;” I know it’s well-meaning but I didn’t start 8THIRTYFOUR to play it safe, to toe the line, to do the easy thing. It’s just not what we stand for, and it isn’t the legacy I want for myself or the agency.
We’ve become and are a safe place for those that don’t fit what is considered “the norm,” I jokingly call us the island of misfit professionals. It’s my job to protect them, and I don’t mean having them work from home when the roads are sh*t (like today), I mean when the very institutions that are supposed to protect them fail. When the highest office in the land issues executive orders, putting the people and communities I care about at considerable risk, you can bet your a** (you’re welcome for the asterisk, we wouldn’t want to offend anyone), I am going to say something.
Sometimes being a leader means being the one who stands up first, who says what everyone else is thinking but is afraid to say. It means choosing the right thing over the easy thing, even when it costs you. Even when it’s scary, especially when it’s scary.
That’s the legacy I want for 8THIRTYFOUR. Not that we played it safe. Not that we stayed quiet. But we stood up, spoke out, and fought like hell for what’s right.
And if that makes us David? Well, I’ve always liked an underdog story.
The recent EO signed by President Trump doesn’t just target DEIA offices – it attempts to criminalize sixty years of progress toward genuine equality. By labeling DEIA initiatives as “illegal discrimination,” this order weaponizes civil rights language to dismantle the very programs designed to ensure equal opportunity.
The order’s premise that “merit-based opportunity” exists separate from systemic barriers is not just flawed – it’s willfully blind to reality. When women-owned businesses contribute $1.9 trillion annually to our economy and federal contracts support $30 billion in economic opportunity, that’s not preferential treatment – it’s smart business that drives innovation and strengthens our economy.
What You Need to Know:
While the President has the authority to direct federal agencies, this executive order’s reach has important limitations:
- The executive branch cannot unilaterally change existing civil rights laws enacted by Congress
- Attempts to reinterpret these laws, especially those affecting private entities, face potential legal challenges
- Previous attempts to broadly reinterpret civil rights protections have faced significant judicial scrutiny
Through our involvement with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), we’re committed to keeping our community informed about developments and implications of this order.
Stay Informed and Engaged:
- Follow WIPP’s updates on policy developments and legal challenges
- Join WIPP’s Advocacy Update on February 12, 2025 for detailed analysis
- Attend WIPP’s Instant Impact meeting on February 20, 2025 to discuss response strategies
True merit means recognizing and removing barriers to success – not pretending they don’t exist.
The fight is just beginning.
Kim Bode
Founder & CEO
8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications
