National Association of Black Counselors, Inc.
National Association of Black Counselors Headquarters
3552 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA 23834
NABCounselors.org
NABCounselors@outlook.com
833-228-6222(NABC)
833-622-2329(NABCFAX)
National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)
Statement on Executive Orders Threatening DEI, Public Access to Information, and Federal Workforce Protections
Issued: August 2025
The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) strongly opposes recent executive orders issued by President Donald J. Trump that dismantle protections for historically marginalized communities, undermine public access to diverse media, and strip equity-focused professionals of job security. These orders threaten the progress made in mental health access, education, and workforce diversity, particularly impacting Black counselors, HBCUs, and the communities we serve.
1. Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions
(Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/restoring-accountability-to-policy-influencing-positions/)
Reclassifies up to 50,000 federal employees into at-will positions, allowing politically motivated terminations without due process.
Impact: Threatens Black federal employees and counselors in policy roles, enabling purges based on ideology rather than performance.
2. Ending Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
(Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/defunding-npr-pbs/)
Eliminates federal funding for public broadcasting outlets accused of “bias.”
Impact: Cuts off essential platforms that uplift Black voices and share culturally relevant mental health and educational content.
3. Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
(Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit/)
Revokes DEI programs, affirmative action protections, and federal equity initiatives across sectors.
Impact: Jeopardizes funding to HBCUs and institutions serving marginalized communities, dismantles DEI in counselor education, and suppresses efforts to diversify the counseling field.
These actions endanger the future of Black mental health professionals and restrict community access to culturally responsive care. The elimination of DEI infrastructure, defunding of inclusive media, and weakening of workforce protections signal a broader attack on justice, equity, and our collective well-being.
NABC urges counselors, educators, and policymakers to stand firm:
- Uphold cultural competency and affirming practices.
- Protect HBCUs and funding for equity-based programming.
- Defend the rights of Black professionals in all sectors.
We remain committed to justice and wellness for all Black people and the continued advancement of an inclusive counseling profession.
In solidarity,
National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)
Website: www.nabcounselors.org
Contact: advocacy@nabcounselors.org
