Comment from Cox, Aien EEOC-2026-0034

I am writing to strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's proposal to eliminate mandatory workforce demographic reporting (EEO-1 through EEO-6). As a Black woman who has navigated the corporate landscape, I have personally experienced severe workplace discrimination and witnessed highly qualified Black women systematically passed over for promotions, raises, and leadership positions in favor of less qualified individuals. Discrimination rarely happens out in the open; it hides in systemic patterns. We cannot fix an equity crisis by pretending that we live in a colorblind society, or by pretending that colorblind employment practices themselves are not undermined by bias and discriminatory thinking. As long as people are being treated differently and even murdered because of their skin color, we need to pay attention to it and be honest about the fact that it is actively impacting how people live, work, and thrive in this world. Mandatory EEO reporting is one of the few mechanisms that forces organizations to look at themselves honestly and allows the public to track racial and gender disparities across industries. Without this data, the ongoing struggles of Black women—who already face a severe compounded wage and promotion gap—will be completely hidden. Demographic data is not a corporate burden; it is a vital diagnostic tool. I urge the Commission to reject this proposal, preserve EEO data collection, and maintain its commitment to protecting vulnerable workers.