Affirmative action is not about preferences or quotas. Affirmative action means considering the race or gender of qualified candidates as just one of the many factors that determine merit. A person's merit is more than just a test score. It includes experience, character, obstacles overcome and a wide range of abilities. Affirmative action enlarges the pool of qualified applicants to give everyone a fair chance.
Quotas are illegal.
An employer can set goals, not quotas.