I am reluctant to use a reference to sports, but the NFL has a good model in regard to coaching and race. Using their protocol teams identify and interview African-American candidates. The protocol does not require hiring them. The Football League in the UK is talking about something similar.
The problem the NFL model solves is the networking problem. The process of interviewing is recognized as valuable because it expands the industry's knowledge of the talent pool and provides a basic opportunity for less well connected candidates to present their credentials.
This means that even if a candidate doesn't get this job, they are on the radar screen for other jobs. Hiring decisions are still based on merit while the known talent pool diversifies over the long run.
The problem the NFL model solves is the networking problem. The process of interviewing is recognized as valuable because it expands the industry's knowledge of the talent pool and provides a basic opportunity for less well connected candidates to present their credentials.
This means that even if a candidate doesn't get this job, they are on the radar screen for other jobs. Hiring decisions are still based on merit while the known talent pool diversifies over the long run.