Several major corporations, including Target, McDonald’s, and Walmart, dropped various DEI programs after President Donald Trump made eliminating DEI within the federal government one of his top priorities in the early days of his second term.
The NAACP said the end of these DEI programs “threaten economic opportunities, workplace diversity, and community investments, directly impacting Black communities nationwide” and called on black consumers to use their $1.8 trillion in purchasing power to support businesses that are maintaining their DEI programs.
The call to action released Saturday also urged black consumers to “demand accountability” from companies who ditched DEI, support black-owned businesses, and “spend intentionally” by supporting companies “that maintain and expand their DEI commitments and prioritize investment in Black communities.”
“The NAACP recognizes that the rollback of DEI initiatives is a direct attack on Black economic progress, civil rights, and the principles of equity and fairness. These actions are part of a broader effort to reverse gains made in civil rights and social justice,” said the NAACP advisory.
“We urge Black consumers to remain vigilant, informed, and intentional in their economic decisions, using their collective power to demand accountability from corporations and institutions,” the advisory continued.
The decision to end DEI programs by several companies came years after companies incorporated or expanded these programs during racial unrest in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. DEI programs have sparked frequent criticism, with many decrying the policies as favoring race or merit.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The recent retreat of DEI programs came as Trump made the elimination of DEI in the federal government, which was expanded by the Biden administration, an early priority.
“The previous administration has embedded deeply unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government,” said the order Trump signed to eliminate DEI programs.
