Black Virginia lawmakers joined the NAACP in demanding the resignation of Martin D. Brown Friday after he attacked diversity, equity, and inclusion programs during a speech delivered at the Virginia Military Institute.

Lamont Bagby, the chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (D-Richmond), described Brown’s remarks as “appalling”, and stated that all 19 of his members believe that Brown should leave his position immediately.

The Virginia NAACP issued a similar statement, demanding that Brown resign immediately. They cited his “erroneous assumption” and “lack fitness for the critical position he holds.”

Brown is a Black Republican who was appointed by Governor Walker in November. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, told hundreds of VMI staff and faculty that DEI was dead during a mandatory diversity training on April 21, 2008. Brown called diversity the “wrong goal” and argued that pursuing equity meant “you are not pursuing excellence, merit or achievement.”

Brown, 60 years old, earns $160,000 per year and oversees the office for diversity, opportunity and inclusion.

In interviews, Black legislators said Brown’s comments were particularly infuriating since they were made at VMI. In the wake of an investigation ordered by the state in 2021, which found “a racist and sexist environment” on its Lexington Campus, VMI has worked to make it more welcoming to women and minorities. The 183-year old school, where cadets died and fought for the Confederacy in wars, has hired its first Black Superintendent, retired Army Major General Cedric Wins. It also created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office headed by two Black females. Some conservative White alumni have reacted negatively to the school’s reforms. VMI renamed the office to Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion in order to reflect Brown’s name.

Bagby stated that “for him to be a Black man in this role, and continue to receive a six-figure annual salary for that role, and then go to VMI to make statements such as that I think it takes disingenuousness up a notch,” Bagby added. Bagby said, “We have done a great deal of work together to address the racial issues that VMI is facing. VMI, under the leadership and direction of Cedric Wins, has proven to be an important partner in addressing these challenges.” Brown’s decision to tell VMI, “Stop what you’re doing, we are no longer interested in this work” was shocking. It is clear that Brown does not appreciate his position. He should resign and make his feelings known.

Robert Barnette Jr. said that Brown talked himself out of his job at VMI while he stood onstage in front of several hundred college professors.

Barnette asked: “If diversity is a bad mission, then isn’t this man in the wrong position?” Diversity, equity, and inclusion have been staples of corporate organizations since many years. To say it is dead at an institution for higher learning, which we did, is troubling. This man is doing the wrong job.”

When asked to comment on the reactions and the calls for resignation, neither Brown or a spokesperson for the Governor returned messages.

The president of Heritage Foundation, which hosted Brown as a visiting scholar from 2014-2018, released a statement on Friday in support of Brown and his remarks made at VMI. Kevin Roberts said that conservatives across the country supported Martin Brown’s courage in speaking truth to power on diversity, equity and inclusion. When they elected Glenn Youngkin as governor of Virginia in 2021, the people of Virginia categorically rejected the national effort to promote Marxist critical race theories to our children. Martin Brown was speaking truth. It was a brave act. I and Heritage salute Governor. Youngkin made a great choice.

Martin D. Brown is the Chief Diversity Officer of Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to VMI faculty and employees at the mandatory annual employee meeting “inclusive Excellence.” (Video by The Washington Post).

Janice Underwood was appointed as the state’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer by Governor Ralph Northam in September 2019. Ralph Northam (D). Del. Don Scott (D, Portsmouth), minority leader of House of Delegates. The General Assembly will vote in March 2021 to require that state agencies create diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans.

When Youngkin took office in 2022 he removed the word “equity”, from the state education system, and renamed the DEI office of the state to Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion, even though the General Assembly had not approved this name change.

What’s the meaning of a word? Youngkin targets ‘equity.’

According to Brown’s LinkedIn profile, Youngkin chose Brown because he had worked for three Republican governors in the past. His most recent positions were as a manager at a Chick Fil-A franchise and president of a marketing firm.

Brown’s remarks, recorded by the college, at VMI seemed to be a dig at Northam and Underwood, while also praising Brown.

Brown said to VMI staff and faculty that Glenn Youngkin runs straight for the fire. Brown told the VMI faculty and staff that Youngkin, upon realizing there was a fire, wanted to take action. In his cabinet, there’s a position called the office of diversity and opportunity, or diversity, equity, and inclusion, created by the previous administration. It’s written in the code… in the law. What can we do? We’re not going stir up any more trouble, I think it’s obvious. We won’t create any more division. “Let’s redeem the office, let’s use it for good.”

Cozy Bailey, the vice chair of Virginia’s African American Advisory Board said Brown told the board recently that he would present a vision of a state diversity office’s strategic direction by the end March. Bailey, who is also the president of the Prince William County NAACP unit, has said that this report has not yet been released. Bailey, who watched Brown’s VMI address, said that he does not understand Brown’s view on equity.

Those who are against equity attempt to portray it as something less than meritorious. The true meaning of equity is that the government, and other institutions, provide each individual with the resources they need to succeed,” said Bailey. She also wants Brown’s resignation.

Scott, House of Delegates Minority Leader, accused Youngkin of exploiting Brown’s race as a Black to promote police.