Target CEO Brian Cornell is set to meet with civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton in New York this week. This comes amid mounting criticism over the company’s rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The meeting comes after Target announced earlier this year that it would be scaling back some of its DEI programs. This includes eliminating specific internal goals, such as increasing Black employee representation and supporting Black-owned businesses. The company also stopped participating in third-party diversity benchmarking reports, raising concerns among civil rights groups and progressive investors.
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The National Action Network (NAN) at work
Rev. Sharpton, who leads the National Action Network (NAN), has been a leading voice in the national backlash against corporations that have reduced their DEI commitments. NAN has encouraged consumers to avoid spending money at companies seen as retreating from diversity-focused efforts, arguing that such reversals threaten the progress made in racial equity in corporate America, particularly after the 2020 racial justice protests.
According to Sharpton, DEI is not just about optics; it’s a core issue of equity, representation, and fair treatment in the workplace.
Sharpton previously took a similar stand against PepsiCo after it rolled back some of its DEI work. After a high-profile meeting with company leadership, the boycott threat was lifted following commitments by PepsiCo to uphold certain diversity programs.
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Observers now wonder if Target’s leadership can achieve a similar outcome. The pressure is especially high as Target has faced a combination of reputational damage, declining foot traffic, and slumping sales in the aftermath of the DEI rollback. Its stock performance has also been under scrutiny, with investors watching closely how public sentiment might impact the company’s bottom line.
Targets’ response
In response to criticism, Target has insisted that it is not abandoning diversity altogether, but rather “evolving its strategy.” The company claims it is moving toward a more integrated, business-driven approach to inclusion, aligning partnerships and programs with long-term growth objectives. However, critics argue that such language often signals a deprioritization of racial equity initiatives in favor of profit-driven metrics.
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The upcoming meeting between Cornell and Sharpton could prove pivotal. It will test whether Target can rebuild trust with civil rights leaders and the broader public, especially Black consumers who have historically supported the brand. With corporate America at a crossroads on DEI, all eyes are on Target and what signals this meeting may send.
Main Image: Target Store (source: Flickr)
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