(DCNF)—Conservative activist Robby Starbuck pushed back against some of CNN contributor and former Obama administration official Van Jones’ claims about his stances on equity policies on Tuesday.
Jones said during a panel discussion at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) “Blueprint” conference in Louisville, Ky., that Starbuck should not say that people who have previously embraced “equity” efforts in the workplace are “communists” or “don’t believe in merit.” Starbuck quickly denied calling everyone in attendance at the conference “communists,” also reiterating that he believes “equity” is inherently a “Marxist concept.”
“I don’t see any communists here, I don’t see anybody that doesn’t believe in merit here, I see people who are trying to solve real problems,” Jones said.
“I don’t know where I called anybody here a communist,” Starbuck replied. “I will say, statistically, there’s probably one or two [in] here.”
“You said ‘Marxist’ on this stage,” Jones shot back.
“Equity is a Marxist concept,” Starbuck said. “A thousand percent. I mean, it’s been a pillar of every Marxist revolution that we’ve had over the last 200 years.”
Starbuck, a visiting fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, has publicly called for several U.S. companies to terminate their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over the past few years. He has also previously compared DEI to “poison.”
Starbuck wrote in an Aug. 27 X post that he believes it is now “socially unacceptable” to “promote” trans causes or DEI efforts in corporate America, adding that it is also “unacceptable to use our money for Pride events.”
Later on during the SHRM panel discussion, Jones criticized Starbuck for using what he claimed was “bully tactics” to get American companies to abandon their diversity policies.”
“I think you may give yourself a little too much credit for the force of your argument,” Jones told Starbuck. “I don’t think people are being won over by your argument, I think they are being run over by your bully tactics and are afraid of the government. And so that’s something I think you have to be careful about.”
“You may be right about that, the CEOs may just be kissing up to me when they say that I’ve won them over with my arguments,” Starbuck said. “But to be honest with you, I don’t really care whether it’s a byproduct of me running them over with bully tactics or whether it’s because they loved my argument privately.”
The activist also added that he was achieving success at getting corporations to drop their DEI policies even when former President Joe Biden was in office.
“The truth is, I was doing this before [President Donald] Trump was in office, before he won the [2024] election, when it was very probable, a lot of people thought Kamala [Harris] was going to win. They were still dropping these [DEI] policies as we went after each company because they saw the financial reaction from the marketplace, they saw their in-store customers dipping [and] they saw it was a serious problem,” he said.
“I can definitely humble myself to say everybody in this room is not a communist, I don’t think I ever said that, but in the case that I did, I do not believe you guys are all communists,” Starbuck later added.
Many human-resources (HR) professionals were reportedly extremely upset over SHRM’s decision to invite Starbuck to its fall conference. Some HR professionals have backed out of attending the conference or have ended their memberships in SHRM, The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 17.
Additionally, Trump unveiled an executive order in January to terminate “radical” and “immoral” DEI programs in federal agencies.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.