Walmart shareholders advise the company to rethink its decision to pull back on DEI efforts. Bloomberg reported that over 30 shareholders asked Walmart Inc. to explain why they’ve decided to retreat on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, calling the choice “disheartening.” The letter to Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon stated that the company had given in to “bullying and pressure from anti-DEI groups.” CEO of SHARE Kevin Thomas, who signed the letter, said, “It’s worrying for shareholders because management appears to be swayed by threats from internet trolls who are already
Apple has opposed a shareholder proposal to remove its DEI programs, as first reported by TechCrunch. Meanwhile, Meta and Amazon have joined the list of companies that have scaled back their DEI programs in response to anti-DEI pressure. Apple opposes anti-DEI Proposal Apple’s board of directors has opposed a proposal by National Center for Public Policy Research (a conservative think tank) to “consider abolishing its Inclusion & Diversity program, policies, department, and goals.” In a proxy filing, Apple stated that the proposal was “unnecessary” as the company “already has a
Costo is standing firm on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments despite activist investors pushing for the company to make changes in line with those seen at Walmart, John Deere, and McDonald’s. Activist investors target DEI efforts Forbes reported that a proposal from a shareholder, put forward by a conservative think tank, challenged Costco to evaluate and openly share the harm linked with its DEI policies and goals. The proposal states that the firm DEI’s plans present financial, reputational, and litigation threats that could negatively affect shareholders. In the
This year, we’ve witnessed the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions with mounting conservative pressure against DEI initiatives across industries—from retail and banking to venture capital and nonprofits. Amid these challenges, the stories that resonated most with you this year were those of resistance and resilience: stories about Black women securing capital, launching funds, and building unicorn companies. You loved the stories about employees holding their employers to account—in words and deeds—and the investors, influencers, and innovators raising the bar in their respective
Players Health, founded by former athlete Tyrre Burks, has secured $60 million in Series C funding to expand its mission of ensuring safety in youth sports. Led by Bluestone Equity Partners, the funding round also included Mosaic General Partners, RPM Ventures, SiriusPoint, and TriplePoint Capital, bringing the total raised to over $100 million. A Former Athlete’s Vision for Change Tyrre Burks founded Players Health to address the challenges he experienced as an athlete playing Division II football team while attending Winona State University, then in Europe and the Canadian Football
A US appeals court has struck down Nasdaq’s diversity disclosure rules for companies listed on the stock exhange. The rules required companies to appoint women, racial minorities, or LGBTQ+ individuals to their boards or explain why they could not. The 5th Circuit Court ruled 9-8 that the proposal was not legal and that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had overstepped by approving Nasdaq’s rule. Court Rejects SEC’s Role in Diversity Mandate Nasdaq introduced a rule requiring companies to share board diversity data and include at least one director from
Operation HOPE and Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business has announced the launch of the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP3). This initiative aims to equip underserved populations across Georgia with the tools needed to succeed in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was made during the 10th Annual Hope Global Forums on December 11, 2024, an event dedicated to financial empowerment and creating pathways to economic mobility. A Comprehensive Plan to Equip Students for an AI Economy AILP3 will deliver a
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has made history by securing a $1 million grant from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. HBCU Makes History This marks the first artificial intelligence-focused institute at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). “This is a huge day,” said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, according to CBS17. The institute will prioritize workforce development and promote equity in AI, ensuring students are well-prepared to lead in a rapidly advancing field. Preparing Students for the Future of AI Scheduled to
BlackCEO, a training platform for Black entrepreneurs, has announced the launch of its “Extreme Business Makeover” program. This initiative is designed to accelerate the growth of Black-owned businesses, tackling challenges that often hinder scaling to multi-million-dollar revenues. A Revolutionary Approach to Business Transformation The three-day program offers a hands-on transformation for selected Black entrepreneurs. BlackCEO’s team implements business strategies during the program including brand development, marketing automation, AI integration, and public relations execution. Participants leave the program with fully operational business systems in place. “Traditional business programs tell you what
Byron Allen’s $10 billion lawsuit accusing McDonald’s of racial discrimination is heading to trial, following a federal judge’s ruling, according to Variety. The media mogul alleges that the fast-food giant denied advertising opportunities to his Black-owned media outlets while reserving substantial budgets for general-market advertising. Court Allows Jury to Decide United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin found sufficient grounds for the case to be heard by a jury. In his decision, he noted that this type of case benefits from a full hearing. Allen’s lawsuit claims that McDonald’s created
