New Jersey representative Andy Kim said recently when he worked at the State Department, it banned him from working on Korean issues because of his Korean-American heritage. The House Appropriations Committee looked at diversity and inclusion issues at the State Department Thursday.
- Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former United States Ambassador to Malta and a witness at the hearing, said accountability for improving diversity and inclusion at the State Department will “take the village” and require an organizational culture change.
- She said while the department has made some progress over the years, it needs more intentionality and coordination of data and recommendations from social scientists.
- Secretary of State Blinken has made clear his intent to focus on this issue and has taken it a step further by announcing the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer position, Abercrombie-Winstanley said.
