Target is shutting down its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program, as well as other equity initiatives, the retailer announced on Friday.
This move puts Target in line with a growing number of U.S. companies stepping back from efforts designed to enhance racial and ethnic representation in the workplace. Just earlier this week, former President Donald Trump dropped a major executive order telling federal agencies to end their DEI programs, while nudging private businesses to follow suit.
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“Many years of data, insights, listening and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” Target’s chief community impact and equity officer Kiera Fernandez said in a memo, adding that it was important to stay in step with the “evolving” external landscape. Also on Friday, Target announced that it’s scaling back its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives, which were designed to promote racial equity, as part of this year’s changes.
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Back in 2022, Target committed to investing over $2 billion in Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025 as part of its REACH goals. The initiative aimed to bring in over 500 Black-owned brands and included a funding program from its in-house media company, Roundel, to boost visibility for diverse-owned brands through paid advertising. In addition, the retailer announced it would be rebranding its “Supplier Diversity” team to “Supplier Engagement” to better align with its inclusive global procurement process.
