PepsiCo representatives met with civil rights leaders from the National Action Network (NAN) following Reverend Al Sharpton’s threat to lead a boycott over the company’s decision to roll back parts of its DEI efforts. On April 4, 2025, Sharpton sent a letter to Pepsi specifying the details of a planned boycott. Sharpton then issued a statement on Tuesday, April 15, stating that he and several members of NAN had a “constructive conversation” with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and PepsiCo North America CEO Steven Williams. PepsiCo changing its commitment to DEI
DEI Under Fire is our monthly series that keeps you up-to-date on the latest DEI announcements and changes from the nation’s leading companies. This month, we discovered that Lego removed terms associated with diversity from its annual sustainability report despite adding more “diverse” characters to make its toys more inclusive. NASA fired Neela Rajendra, an Indian-origin official who served as the chief of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Yahoo removed multiple pages and other sections associated with DEI policies from its website. Here are some of the latest changes we
Target’s foot traffic has fallen for the ninth consecutive week amidst its 40-day boycott, as stated by Retail Brew. The company’s traffic started to plummet in the first whole week after it shared that it was rolling back its DEI efforts. In March, the retailer announced that it would end its DEI programs, including its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative and a program focused on carrying more products from Black—or minority-owned businesses. Target’s chief community impact and equity officer, Kiera Fernandez, sent a memo to staff stating, “Many
The Trump administration is urging some large companies in the EU to comply with executive orders to end DEI programs. Government officials have allegedly sent letters to companies in France and the European Union with US government contracts, stating that they should ban DEI initiatives if they want to hold on to their contracts, according to The Financial Times. “Department of State contractors must certify that they do not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable anti-discrimination laws and agree that such certification is material for purposes of
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened an investigation into Disney and its subsidiary ABC, examining whether their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies violate federal broadcast regulations. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr requested the probe, raising concerns that Disney’s DEI initiatives may conflict with the agency’s equal employment opportunity rules. Disney holds broadcast licenses for its ABC affiliate stations, which the FCC regulates. DEI Under Scrutiny In a letter to CEO Bob Iger dated March 27, Carr said he wants to ensure the company is not engaging in “invidious forms
Create Labs Ventures is collaborating with TONL, a Black-owned stock photography company, to launch the first-ever AI-powered image-generator exclusively trained to create a Black-owned stock photo library, Femi Magazine reports. This partnership aims to tackle biases in AI image generation, where models trained on white-dominated datasets often produce inaccurate or offensive depictions of Black, Brown, and other marginalized communities. communities. By leveraging TONL’s diverse collection, it aims to create more authentic, representative images. Black Representation in Stock Photography TONL was founded by Nigerian-American social entrepreneur Karen Okonkwo and Ghanaian-American Joshua
In 2024, US startups with Black founders received just 0.4% of total funding, the lowest share in recent years and down more than two-thirds from just three years ago. According to Crunchbase data, overall startup funding increased to $314 billion last year, but only $730 million went to Black founders. Which Black startups received the most funding last year? Twelve picked up a $200 million Series C in September, led by Capricorn Investment Group, Pulse Fund, and TPG. The startup converts carbon dioxide into jet fuel and other practical products. The company also
DEI Under Fire is our monthly series that keeps you up-to-date on the latest DEI announcements and changes from the nation’s leading companies. This month, Reuters reported that some retailers, including Target, Amazon, and Tractor Supply, have ended their DEI initiatives in writing but are quietly maintaining select efforts, like funding LGBTQ+ Pride and anti-racism events and backing resource groups for underrepresented staff workers. Here are some of the latest changes we think you should know about. Remember to revisit this page throughout March for updates. Companies are listed in
Over 100,000 people have pledged to boycott Target for 40 days in protest of the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives. The boycott, which began on Wednesday, March 4, was organized by Pastor Jamal Bryant. According to The Washington Post, the movement spans cities including Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Florida, and Alexandria, Virginia. The “Target Fast” occurs simultaneously as Lent, when some Christians commit to fasting and will be the latest boycott against one of the biggest retail companies in the US. Why are people boycotting Target? In January, Target announced that
Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive orders to cut federal support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, ruling that they likely violate the First Amendment and other constitutional protections. Judge Rejects Trump’s DEI Crackdown AP News reports that US District Judge Adam Abelson in Maryland issued an injunction on February 21, preventing the administration from terminating or altering federal contracts tied to DEI. Baltimore officials and three organizations brought the lawsuit, arguing that Trump’s orders unlawfully suppress free speech and overstep presidential authority. Abelson agreed
