08/04/2025
📣 Official Announcement from Diversity Placement:
August 4, 2025
Dear DPS Community,
After much reflection, I’m writing to share that Diversity Placement Services will be closing its doors.
This decision has not been made lightly. Since stepping into leadership after the passing of my incredible mother—one of DPS’s founders—and the retirement of Derell Grimm, I’ve worked to carry their legacy forward with the same heart and mission they instilled from the very beginning.
But over time, I’ve come to realize that continuing this work at the pace and emotional depth it requires has taken a toll on my mental health. As someone who has always preached the importance of well-being, I know now it’s time for me to honor that truth for myself. I’ve made the incredibly difficult, yet necessary, decision to step away and focus on healing.
To every client, community member, partner, and supporter who walked alongside us—you are the reason this work mattered. You are the reason we kept going. And you are the reason the legacy of DPS will live on far beyond the life of the organization.
Thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and your belief in our mission to create more equitable, inclusive opportunities for all.
With gratitude and love,
Lauren Daugherty
Executive Director
Diversity Placement Services
