Harley-Davidson hits brakes on DEI

Harley-Davidson in a social media post on Monday indicated it had ended its diversity, equity and inclusion program, saying it had “not operated a [DEI] function since April 2024.”

“We see it as every leader's role to ensure we have an employee base that reflects our customers and the geographies in which we operate,” the company said in a statement posted to the social platform X on Monday.

“It is critical to our business that we hire and retain the best talent and that all employees feel welcome,” the statement continued. “That said, we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals.”

“We believe having both a broad employee and customer base is good for business and that ultimately everyody should experience the joy of riding a Harley-Davidson,” the company said in its Monday statement. “We remain committed to listening to all members of our community as we continue on our journey together as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world.”

DEI programs are often aimed at promoting fairness and equity in institutions, often specifically focusing on racism, sexism and homophobia.

The programs have been recently facing attacks from conservatives, including from Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the current Republican vice presidential nominee.

Vance has offered legislation to eliminate federal DEI programs.

“The DEI agenda is a destructive ideology that breeds hatred and racial division,” Vance said in a June statement. “It has no place in our federal government or anywhere else in our society."

Some other companies have recently moved away from DEI initiatives. John Deere announced last month that it wouldn’t sponsor or be a part of “social or cultural awareness” events anymore.