Target CEO Cornell meets with Sharpton to discuss DEI rollback as civil rights leader considers boycott

In New York City, USA, Target CEO Brian Cornell held a meeting with Reverend Al Sharpton on Thursday amidst growing calls for a boycott and decreased foot traffic. The decline started after the company scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. While Sharpton hasn’t explicitly called for a boycott, he has backed efforts by others to avoid shopping at Target.

Sharpton stated that he might advocate for a boycott if Target doesn’t reaffirm its commitment to the Black community and promise to support Black-owned businesses. Target reached out to Sharpton for the meeting, which he described as “constructive and candid” in a statement afterward.

The discussions with Sharpton are part of a broader trend where companies like PepsiCo and Target have faced scrutiny for scaling back DEI initiatives. Some companies have faced pressure from conservative activists to abandon such programs.

Target’s decision to retract its DEI efforts aligns with similar moves by Walmart, McDonald’s, and other companies. These adjustments have been made partly due to concerns over customer reactions and political pressures, with President Donald Trump opposing DEI programs.

Target’s challenges extend beyond DEI criticisms, with stagnant revenue and operational issues also contributing to its difficulties. Sharpton pressed Cornell on the company’s previous commitments following the George Floyd incident, questioning why there had been a change in stance.