References to DEI on annual reports of FTSE 100 companies in the UK have declined, according to The Observer. Mentions of DEI, as well as the number of pages containing the phrase and revisions on it, fell by more than 16% compared to the annual reports for 85 companies in 2023 and 2024. While references to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and revisions on the term decreased by 22%, the data points to influence from the US after President Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by
On May 25th, hundreds of people knelt in prayer outside of local Target stores to commemorate the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. The prayer lasted for 9 minutes and 29 seconds—the exact time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, according to Afro.com. Faith leaders across the country led the prayer, including Pastor Jamal Bryant, who had led the 40-day boycott against the retailer, which has now evolved into a complete cancellation. “Effective immediately. Target is canceled,” he said. The company doesn’t “value who it is that
Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, shared that sales have declined by 30% since the boycott of Target began earlier this year. The boycott is in response to Target’s decision to roll back its DEI efforts, which include a commitment to increasing Black representation by 20% and a program to feature more products by Black- and minority-owned businesses. Butler is now calling on consumers to support Black-owned businesses through other channels, including buying from them directly. The Lip Bar’s sales declining In a video posted on social media,
It’s been a tough few months for Target after it rolled back its DEI efforts. In a bid to boost company morale, CEO Brian Cornell wrote a memo to employees, but it may have caused more confusion. Cornell admitted that it has been “a tough few months” between the retail economy and “headlines, social media, and conversations that may have left you wondering,” as The Minnesota Star Tribune stated. However, he said Target’s culture and commitment to staff remain the same. Target ending its DEI efforts In January, the retailer announced
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 more companies are rejecting the anti-DEI wave. Bristol Myers Squibb stood firm on their DEI efforts, highlighting the importance of an inclusive workforce. Berkshire Hathaway also backed its DEI initiatives as shareholders rejected an anti-DEI proposal. Goldman Sachs, however, removed references associated with DEI on its website. Here are some of the latest changes we think you should know about. Remember to
Levi’s shareholders voted against a proposal that asked the company to end its DEI efforts. The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, submitted a proposal to shareholders urging the company to “consider abolishing its DEI program, policies, department and goals,” according to WWD. Numerous companies, retailers, and even universities have called back on their DEI efforts to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. In January, Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by federal contractors. Levi’s maintains its DEI efforts A company
Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, stood firm on its DEI initiatives, and his employees couldn’t be more grateful. During an interview at the Great Place to Work for All Summit in Las Vegas, Capuano discussed the new unpredictability surrounding DEI policies following President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Although Marriott leaders have publicly stated that they aspire to be leaders in the DEI space, Trump’s executive orders and policies against these initiatives have caused uncertainty regarding their plans, according to Fortune. Marriott CEO’s stance on DEI During the summit, Capuano
New figures reveal that Black shoppers had a significant impact on the February 28 ‘Economic Blackout,’ particularly at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, Retail Brew reports. The boycott, led by grassroots organization The People’s Union USA, urged consumers to freeze spending for 24 hours in response to rising prices, corporate policies, and economic challenges facing consumers. $220 million decline for Black shoppers The boycott fell on a Friday, and sales decreased by 5.4% and trips fell by 4.1% compared to the average Friday, as stated by Numerator. Household
The consumer boycott against Target will not come to a halt, according to Pastor Jamal Bryant. 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. Subsequently, Bryant called for a 40-day boycott against the retailer, which began on Wednesday, March 4. The movement spanned cities including Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Florida, and Alexandria, Virginia. The “Target Fast” coincided with Lent, when some Christians observe fasting. Target’s foot
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
