“Confidential manual exposes forsaken commitment to diversity and inclusivity”
WASHINGTON (AP) — The NAACP is urging Black Americans to support businesses that have remained steadfast in their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives despite conservative pressures. The nation’s oldest civil rights organization is providing a list of brands that have either upheld or rescinded their previous commitments to these values.
According to the NAACP, the release of a spending guide on Saturday is crucial as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts play a vital role in advancing the social and economic well-being of Black Americans, who are estimated to have a purchasing power of nearly $2 trillion by 2030, as projected by the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility.
“Diversity contributes to stronger financial performance,” stated NAACP President Derrick Johnson in an exclusive statement to The Associated Press. “In today’s global marketplace, those who resist the multicultural aspects of consumerism and business will be left behind in the past.”
Keisha Bross, an economic strategist at the NAACP, clarified that the organization is not advocating for a boycott of companies but rather encouraging consumers to support businesses that align with their values. The guidelines are meant to be inclusive of individuals from all backgrounds.
The NAACP is engaging in discussions with executives from companies mentioned in the advisory, including Amazon, McDonald’s, Target, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and Walmart, and will continuously update its recommendations based on companies either retracting or reaffirming their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Black Consumer Advisory evaluates prominent American retailers like Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart for discontinuing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies while commending Costco for maintaining its previous commitments. Brands such as Apple, Ben & Jerry’s, Delta Airlines, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and JPMorgan Chase & Co are praised for their continued support of DEI practices, whereas McDonald’s is criticized for reversing its policy. The advisory also highlights policy reversals among major tech companies like Amazon and Meta.
The advisory assesses companies that are scaling back on previous commitments, such as abolishing diversity officer positions, discontinuing hiring practices intended to enhance staff diversity, or reducing investments in Black communities like support for historically Black colleges and universities.
McKinsey’s study revealed that Black Americans are more likely to reside in areas with limited access to the products and services offered by major corporations.
“I am confident that this framework will assist our community in making informed decisions about where to invest their hard-earned money,” Johnson remarked. “If corporations want our support, they must be prepared to do what is right.”
This initiative comes amidst mounting pressure on corporations, governments, and other major institutions to retract DEI policies following backlash from the Trump administration and Republican-led state governments.
Shortly after assuming office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to end “unlawful preferences and discrimination” in the government and directed federal agencies to work with the Justice Department to “encourage the
To promote inclusive values, some organizations employ individuals dedicated to implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Donald Trump’s executive orders have encountered opposition. In February, a coalition comprising the mayor of Baltimore and a union representing university professors took legal action against the Trump administration, alleging that the directives violated civil rights legislation. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that President Trump cannot strip Congress of its authority over funding or suppress dissent by threatening to withhold federal funds and enforce other punitive measures. Further legal battles related to DEI are ongoing, particularly in the private sector. The Federal Communications Commission recently initiated legal proceedings against Comcast regarding its DEI policies. Similarly, in February, the state of Missouri filed a lawsuit against Starbucks over its DEI policies. Several companies, including Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, IBM, Mastercard, and Pepsico, are facing shareholder resolutions challenging their DEI practices.
