Over the past few decades, many organizations have implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives with varying success. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, there was a renewed and widespread commitment to DE&I, but these efforts have largely been performative. Recent Supreme Court decisions and legislative actions have further eroded these commitments, leading to the elimination of many DE&I positions and programs. This pattern of abandoned promises is not new, reflecting a historical cycle of progress and regression in the fight for equity. To break this cycle, leaders must educate themselves, consult experts, and implement sustainable DE&I strategies despite current challenges. The future workforce demands it, and true progress depends on it.