Having a culturally sensitive workforce that embraces diversity has, for a long time, been considered a "feel good" issue, without proven business benefits to many (perhaps most) businesses.  The wanted quantitative proof that a diverse work force had true business value.

"My business is not a social experiment …" was a convenient perspective to those uncomfortable with and fearful of not having a culturally homogenous workplace.  Call it the primary excuse to hold onto the past dominated by the incumbent, dominant culture.

But now there is substantial evidence indicating that businesses embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives tend to outperform those that do not. Multiple studies and reports have demonstrated that DEI initiatives contribute positively to various aspects of business performance, including profitability, innovation, and employee engagement.

There is a sample compilation of studies below that have established hard science and quantitative data that prove the following specific list of business:

1. Financial Performance: Companies with diverse workforces are more likely to outperform their less diverse peers. For example, McKinsey's research shows that companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians. Similarly, gender-diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their peers​.

2.  Innovation and Problem-Solving: Diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives, leading to higher innovation and better problem-solving abilities. Companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation, and inclusive companies are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their markets

3. Attracting Talent: DEI initiatives make companies more attractive to job seekers, especially younger generations who prioritize working in diverse and inclusive environments. This helps companies build stronger, more dynamic teams​

4. Brand Reputation and Customer Satisfaction: Companies that promote DEI often enjoy better reputations and stronger brand loyalty. They are also better at capturing new markets and meeting diverse customer needs, leading to higher customer satisfaction​

They issue one caveat … that it is important that the DEI initiatives related to cultural sensitivity be genuine.   Authentic DEI efforts are integrated into the core values and strategic goals of an organization and are backed by measurable actions and accountability. This includes regular assessment of DEI progress and a commitment to continuous improvement​.

In summary, embracing DEI is not only a moral imperative ("Equity") but also a strategic business advantage. Companies that integrate DEI into their culture and operations tend to perform better financially, foster innovation, engage employees more effectively, attract top talent, and build stronger brands.