With affirmative action and so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs under attack by President Donald Trump, J.C. Polanco is holding his ground. A former Republican candidate for public advocate in New York City, Polanco is the CEO of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, a national nonprofit organization that was founded in 1968 to expand opportunities for underrepresented students to attend law school.

Polanco, who is also a law professor at the University of Mount St. Vincent, joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss his push to make the legal field more diverse and the obstacles his organization faces due to reduced funding and political attacks. They also discussed the history of DEI initiatives and their own respective paths to finishing law school.

Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].