Blinken Appoints DEI Chief Following 10-Month Vacancy

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed a new chief diversity and inclusion officer after almost a year since the position was vacant.

Zakiya Carr Johnson, the newly appointed chief, is an experienced expert in race, social inclusion, and diversity. Secretary Blinken stated that she will be responsible for creating a workforce that represents the diversity of America, as reported by NBC News.

Various State Department employee groups and officials expressed surprise at the 10-month delay in filling the position, which does not require Senate confirmation.

Some expressed the wish to have had the opportunity to provide input before Carr Johnson’s appointment. Merry Walker, the president of the Asian American Foreign Affairs Association, identified the challenge of retaining staff at the mid-levels of the department.

There are concerns about staff retention at the State Department, with a senior official noting the disproportionate departure of women and minorities. Zakiya Carr Johnson previously served at the State Department from 2010-17 before working with marginalized communities, bringing international expertise and a fresh perspective, according to Blinken.

A State Department survey in 2022 revealed instances of discrimination and harassment among respondents. Furthermore, a report by the Government Accountability Office indicated underrepresentation of Arab Americans, Black Americans, and Hispanic Americans at the department.

In her statement, Carr Johnson expressed her dedication to addressing inequalities and challenges within the workforce at the State Department.