Linda Chavez on Federalist Society’s Explainer Series

Center for Equal OpportunityGovernment Activity

Linda Chavez discusses proposed regulatory changes to federal contracting rules following the Trump Administration’s revoking Executive Order 11246. The program is part of the Federalist Society’s Explainer Series. Joining Chavez is Brett Sweringen, formerly of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). They cover the history of both the OFCCP and the now revoked Executive order 11246, the scope of the recently proposed regulatory changes, and the potential implications of these changes.  Related posts: Bad Old Regulations CEO Applauds Trump Administration’s Civil Rights Actions US v Metcalf TESTIMONY OF ROGER CLEGG, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, CENTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY …

Photos from CEO Fellowship 2025

Center for Equal OpportunityKeeping Up with CEO

CEO recently hosted its Fourth Annual Civil Rights Fellowship in Washington, D.C.  CEO Fellows heard from a variety of experts in constitutional and civil rights law and history as well as receiving media training. Our instructors included:  Craig Trainor, Nominee Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Housing and Urban Development   Eric Dreiband, Former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Department of Justice  Kenneth Marcus, Former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education  Gail Heriot, Commissioner, U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Professor of Law, University of San Diego Law School  Maimon Schwarzschild, Professor of Law, University of San Diego …

The Truth About Affirmative Action

Center for Equal OpportunityUncategorized

by Jason L. Riley, CEO Board Member – this post originally appeared on the WSJ. He requires colleges to submit data proving they don’t engage in racial discrimination. One reason it took so long for the Supreme Court to ban the consideration of race in university admissions, which it finally did two years ago in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, is that the justices previously took college administrators at their word. It is a mistake that the Trump administration doesn’t intend to repeat. A memorandum President Trump signed last week directs colleges that receive federal funding to submit admissions data to …

Government withholds $108 Million as Duke law review, Duke Health probed for racial bias

Center for Equal OpportunityUncategorized

This article originally appeared on The College Fix Duke Law Journal, Duke Health under scrutiny Two federal agencies have launched probes into Duke University to investigate claims of racial bias as the government pauses over $100 million in funding to the elite institution. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into Duke University’s law journal and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office froze $108 million in National Institutes of Health grants as it probes Duke Health. Both actions cite Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which forbids institutions that receive federal funds to …

‘Black Scholars Matter’ program at Cal State Northridge faces civil rights complaint

Center for Equal OpportunityEducation

This post originally appeared on The College Fixby Jenna Triplett – University of Tennessee Knoxville  Civil rights experts say program could be ‘violating the law’ The “Black Scholars Matter” program at California State University Northridge violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 according to a new federal complaint shared with The College Fix. Civil rights activist Mark Perry filed a complaint against the program, which he called a “racially exclusionary program that illegally excludes and discriminates against non-Black students.” He cited evidence found on the program’s website, including the program’s description, comments from the founder, and promotional videos featuring exclusively …

Podcast: Disparate Impact and the Future of Equal Opportunity

Center for Equal OpportunityDisparate Impact

In this episode, experts explore the origins, evolution, and controversy surrounding disparate impact law—from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to landmark Supreme Court decisions like Griggs v. Duke Power Co. (1971) and Wards Cove Packing Co., Inc. v. Atonio (1989), to the legislative response in the Civil Rights Act of 1991.  What is disparate impact liability? How has it shaped outcomes in employment, housing, and equal access to opportunity? Is it a justifiable basis for legal liability without evidence of disparate treatment?  Join us for a conversation on one of the most debated legal doctrines in American civil rights …

CEO Selects Fourth Annual Class of Civil Rights Fellows

Center for Equal OpportunityAbout CEOUSA

Dear friends, I am pleased to introduce to you the 2025 class of CEO civil rights fellows. This August, the fellows will participate in our intensive seminar-style program in Washington, D.C. This fellowship is a first-of-its-kind program within which fellows receive instruction and training in civil rights caselaw, enforcement practices, and public policy. For example, fellows will learn the history of major civil rights laws, become familiar with major Supreme Court decisions in this area, and learn about current controversies surrounding civil rights law and enforcement. The seminars will be led by law and policy experts, litigators, former government officials, and other thought leaders. Fellows will also …

The Future of DEI: The Case of the Fearless Fund

Center for Equal OpportunityUncategorized

In March 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order scaling back federal DEI initiatives, signaling a major turning point in the national conversation around race-conscious policies in the workplace. This Regulatory Transparency Project’s latest short film revisits American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund, a case challenging a race-based grant program under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Featuring legal scholars, civil rights attorneys, and policy experts from across the ideological spectrum, this documentary explores the origins of DEI policies and asks whether these initiatives are a necessary path to equality — or an obstacle to it? …

The Center for Equal Opportunity announces newest members of the team

Center for Equal OpportunityKeeping Up with CEO

Shawna Bray is CEO’s new General Counsel. She is an experienced litigator, having been an associate at Arnold & Porter in Washington D.C., and Richard, Layton & Finger in Wilmington, DE. She was also counsel at Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP in Washington. She has also most recently been a consultant for the Federalist Society’s Freedom of Thought Project and has worked on a number of CEO projects, including drafting an amicus brief in Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board. Ms. Bray is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Northwestern Law School. Samantha Crane is CEO’s 2025–2026 Visiting Legal Fellow …

2025 CEO Civil Rights Fellowship Accepting Applications

Center for Equal OpportunityAbout CEOUSA

It is with great joy that the Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO) announces and begins accepting applications today for its 2025 Civil Rights Fellowship. The program, which will take place in August of 2025 is intended for law students with an interest in a career in a public, private, or nonprofit setting where their instruction and training can be shared with the public, the courts, and/or through policy development. LEARN MORE Related posts: CEO Joins Heritage Foundation 2025 Presidential Transition Project TESTIMONY OF ROGER CLEGG, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, CENTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS …