National Diversity Council (NDC)

Over its years of operation, NDC engaged with over one million individuals through various DEI events, workshops, and programs, and certified approximately 1,700 NDC Certified Diversity Professionals. The organization established thousands of partnerships across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, working across more than 60 industries. The group announced its decision to fold in 2024 after the board accused founder Dennis Kennedy and other employees of improperly paying themselves millions of dollars in organization funds. ^{1 2}

Background and Activity

The National Diversity Council was formed in 2008 by Dennis Kennedy. The organization offered a range of programs, including certification courses, training services, and events focused on promoting left-of-center diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. The group referred to DEI ideology as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The group operated programs, including the Diversity First Fellow Program, which trained individuals for corporate DEI positions, including roles as chief diversity officers, DEI directors, and senior DEI managers. The group also offered a DEI certification program in partnership with the Center for Diversity Certification, which certified approximately 1,700 NDC Certified Diversity Professionals. ^{3 4}

Closure

In September 2024, the National Diversity Council announced that it had ceased daily operations, citing a “downturn in corporate and philanthropic support.” The group also stated that it was seeking a 501(c)(3) organization or for-profit company to acquire the organization’s assets. ¹

In March 2025, NDC filed for bankruptcy after having ceased operations in 2024, and allegations of financial misconduct involving NDC’s founder and top executives emerged. The organization’s board accused founder Dennis Kennedy of improperly paying himself millions of dollars from donor funds, including a reported salary of $450,000 for 10 hours per week of work in 2020. In 2022, Kennedy, along with CEO Angeles Valenciano and CFO Jason deGroot, allegedly decided they were owed nearly $3 million in “back pay,” and distributed over $1 million in donor funds to themselves. The board sued the individuals, suggesting that these actions could constitute criminal liability, potentially amounting to a third-degree felony. ²

The board’s lawsuit alleged that Kennedy used NDC as a front for Diversity & Leadership Inc. (D&L), a for-profit diversity consulting business owned by Kennedy. ²

The Daily Wire reported that NDC founder Dennis Kennedy had transferred NDC’s trademarks and website to himself, reporting in March 2025 that “NationalDiversityCouncil.org now leads to a website of an organization that purports to be the National Diversity Council, listing Kennedy as its founder and no board. Dawn Hooper, an accountant who is managing the bankruptcy for NDC’s board, told The Daily Wire that the site is ‘not operated by the National Diversity Council.’” ²

The website promoted a conference that was set to be keynoted by Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey in April 2025 and was apparently run by Diversity & Leadership Inc., Kennedy’s for-profit firm. ²