Diversity initiatives—also known as diversity and inclusion initiatives or D&I—are policies and procedures implemented by a business or other organization that are designed to improve workplace and career experiences and outcomes for women and racial and ethnic minorities. Organizations usually begin a diversity initiative with a statement by top management that the initiative is a priority for the organization, and sometimes hire a Director of Diversity & Inclusion or Chief Equality Officer to implement the organization’s goals related to hiring and retention of diverse employees.

In Indiana, as in many other states, there is no specific statute that mandates private businesses to implement diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives. However, businesses are encouraged to adopt such policies as they align with federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly Title VII, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) provide additional federal protections. Indiana's own Civil Rights Law, IC 22-9-1, also prohibits discrimination in employment on similar grounds. While D&I initiatives are not legally required, they can help organizations comply with these anti-discrimination laws and foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Organizations in Indiana that choose to implement D&I initiatives often do so to improve their corporate culture, enhance employee satisfaction, and to better reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.