On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, faith leaders held prayer vigils outside Target stores to protest the company’s retreat from its racial equity commitments, leading Rev. Jamal Bryant to announce a full cancellation of the retailer. Calling it the most successful Black boycott since Montgomery, Bryant said the movement has cost Target $1 billion in valuation and is now turning its focus to holding Dollar General accountable for failing Black communities.
Tag: Target
Posted inBUSINESS
Rev. Bryant and the Black Press won’t let Target off the hook
Rev. Jamal Bryant is calling for the continuation of a nationwide boycott against Target after the retailer scaled back its racial equity programs, urging sustained economic pressure to secure lasting change. Black leaders, including the NNPA’s Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., insist that any corporate accountability must include robust support for Black-owned media and community investment.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Tariffs raise concerns for essential goods shortage
The 47th president’s tariffs are expected to drive up prices and create shortages of essential goods, disproportionately impacting Black Americans, as supply chains falter and imported necessities become scarce.
Posted inBUSINESS
Sharpton presses Target and PepsiCo over equity retreats as NAN mulls boycotts
Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) are weighing further action against corporations like Target and PepsiCo for scaling back their equal opportunity and inclusion efforts, following high-level meetings with company executives. Sharpton plans to consult with NAN’s board and civil rights allies before deciding whether to support boycotts or “buycotts” in response to these corporate retreats.
Posted inNational News
Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network launch boycott of PepsiCo
At the 2025 National Action Network Convention, Rev. Al Sharpton announced a national boycott of PepsiCo in response to the company’s rollback of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, urging Black Americans to wield their economic power as a form of protest. He also unveiled digital tools and plans for an Aug. 28 March on Wall Street to amplify economic justice efforts and hold corporations accountable.
Posted inOPINION
Weaponized dollars, a silent weapon that works
By Alice T. Crowe Grassroots boycotts are proving their power on Target’s Balance Sheet. On a March 4 quarterly earnings call, Target reported that quarterly net sales declined 3.1 percent. Target sales are declining, and so is its reputation. The company’s stock has slipped over 50 percent from its three-year high. While some experts will […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Founders of Black-owned brands adapt their hopes and business plans amid diversity, equity rollbacks
Black-owned businesses are adjusting their strategies as major retailers scale back diversity initiatives, with some entrepreneurs reconsidering partnerships and others looking for alternative growth avenues. While brands like Pound Cake and Puzzles of Color navigate shifting corporate commitments, founders remain focused on community-driven support, independent retail expansion, and fostering resilience in an evolving business landscape.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Economic blackout: Will a 24-hour boycott make a difference?
The People\’s Union USA is encouraging U.S. residents to abstain from spending money on Feb. 28 as an act of economic resistance to protest the influence of billionaires, big corporations, and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans.
Posted inNational News
Dr. Jamal Bryant’s 40-day Target ‘fast’ gains momentum
The Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant is leading a 40-day boycott of Target in response to the retailer’s decision to phase out its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and is calling for 100,000 people to sign a petition and halt their spending at Target as a direct challenge to the company’s retreat from its commitments to Black businesses and consumers.
Posted inNational News
National Action Network spearheads Costco “buy-cott”
Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network organized a “buy-cott” at a Harlem Costco in East Harlem, N.Y. to support companies that continue to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, following the reversal of DEI programs by major corporations across the nation.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Black Vote, Black Power: What do we do now? 10 Action steps for the next 4 years
Keith Boykin outlines 10 action steps to stay engaged, make a difference, and protect Black America’s rights and interests in the face of a dangerous and divisive political environment.
Posted inNEWS
Target’s DEI rollback raises questions about the retail giant’s philanthropic commitments
Target has announced the end of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, sparking questions about its philanthropic commitment to fighting racial disparities and promoting progressive values.