Disney’s New Initiative: Embracing Global Belonging
- Disney launches its first “Global Belonging Week” starting Monday.
- The event emphasizes “belonging” and “inclusion,” omitting “diversity,” “equity,” and “DEI.”
- This shift aligns with a trend of companies revising DEI language.
Disney’s Shift in DEI Strategy
Disney is set to unveil a fresh perspective on DEI with a week-long event centered around “belonging.” This inaugural “Global Belonging Week” for employees will take place from October 20 to 24, featuring optional livestream talks aimed at empowerment and inspiration, as detailed in a recent internal email.
Beginning Monday, Disney employees can engage with keynotes that celebrate the company’s diverse culture, encourage participation, and motivate everyone to excel daily, according to the email seen by Business Insider.
This initiative follows Disney’s earlier revamp of its DEI efforts, which included closing “Reimagine Tomorrow,” a platform launched in 2021 to highlight stories from underrepresented groups.
The “Global Belonging Week” schedule highlights “belonging” and “inclusion,” avoiding terms like “diversity,” “equity,” and “DEI,” which have faced political challenges during recent years.
Mita Mallick, a workplace strategist and author of “Reimagine Inclusion,” notes that this language shift reflects current trends, with companies favoring terms like “belonging” and “culture” that are perceived as less politically charged.
“Terms like ‘diversity’ and ‘equity’ are being avoided,” Mallick explained.
Disney has not responded to requests for comment.
Decline in DEI Language Usage
In the early 2020s, DEI programs were widely adopted by companies. However, these initiatives have become politically sensitive and can even hinder corporate mergers, as experienced by David Ellison during the Skydance and Paramount merger.
According to a May report by Gravity Research, the use of DEI-related language has decreased by 72% year-over-year in 2025, with a 98% drop in the term “DEI.” The study analyzed 1,378 public documents from Fortune 100 companies between January 2023 and May 2025.
Similar terms like “belonging” and “diverse perspectives” have also seen a 34% decrease this year after a 20% rise in 2024, according to Gravity Research. A separate study by The Conference Board in August revealed that 53% of the S&P 100 had altered their DEI messaging in 2025.
“This is the business reality,” Mallick stated.
A Disney employee in the advertising sector described the company’s DEI changes as “performative.”
Disney’s events include discussions on the “art of belonging” related to popular films like “Moana” and “Encanto.”
Additionally, there’s an on-demand session titled “Belong & Thrive: The Joy of Intersectionality, Allyship & Inclusion.”
Invitation to Disney’s Global Belonging Week
You’re Invited: Global Belonging Week
Details for Disney’s inaugural Global Belonging Week, October 20-24, 2025, are here! Join us for this exclusive virtual and in-person experience.
Employees worldwide are encouraged to participate in experiences designed to enhance your sense of belonging and opportunities to thrive. When employees feel they belong, they thrive, and so does the magic of Disney!
This voluntary week of events is crafted to celebrate our rich culture, spark engagement, and empower each of us to excel daily. Throughout the week, you’ll receive:
- Insights from keynote speakers designed to empower and inspire you
- Engaging learning experiences that deepen understanding of inclusion and belonging
- Opportunities to network and connect with colleagues, plus volunteer opportunities with Disney VoluntEARS
No registration required. Visit the page below to learn about each event and save them to your calendars.
This is an employee-only event.
Global Belonging Week Schedule
Monday, October 20, 2025
- Opening Keynote and Kickoff
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
- Speakers include Arda Ocal, Jill Estorino, Rita Ferro, Joe Earley, Renato D’Angelo, Tinisha Agramonte, and Sonia Coleman.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Belonging and Thriving: Journeys from Humble Beginnings to First Generation Corporate Professionals
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
- Moderated by Tinisha Agramonte, featuring Sonia Coleman and Robert Thompson.
- Art of Belonging: Moana
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM PDT / 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
- Livestream details available on the event page.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- Telling Stories That Resonate: The Global Impact of Lilo & Stitch
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
- Moderated by Anastasia Ali, with Maddie Woods and Megan Denman.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
- Cultivating a Culture of Belonging through Interpersonal Connections with Patrice Borders
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
- Livestream details available on the event page.
- Art of Belonging: Encanto
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM PDT / 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
- Livestream details available on the event page.
Friday, October 24, 2025
- Global Belonging Week Closing
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
- Keynote Speaker: Juju Chang, Co-anchor, ABC News’ “Nightline”
On Demand
- Cross Cultural Connections: Where Belonging Begins
- Available on demand during Global Belonging Week.
- Belong & Thrive: The Joy of Intersectionality, Allyship & Inclusion
- Available on demand during Global Belonging Week.
