Target CEO Brian Cornell met with civil rights leader Rev. #AlSharpton to discuss the company’s decision to reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The meeting occurred at the National Action Network (NAN) headquarters in New York City. NAN board chair Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and senior adviser Carra Wallace were also in attendance.
Cornell requested the meeting as Target encountered boycotts following the company’s decision to withdraw from certain DEI initiatives. Sharpton has not called for a boycott of Target, but he has backed others’ efforts to refrain from shopping at the retailer. He stated he would contemplate initiating a Target boycott if the company fails to affirm its dedication to the Black community, businesses, and employees, urging collaboration and investment in Black-owned businesses.
Pastor Jamal Bryant initiated a 40-day boycott of Target starting in early March. Target’s store foot traffic began to decline shortly after the announcement, experiencing a drop for 10 consecutive weeks compared to the same period last year, as reported by MSNBC. Civil rights groups and social media users criticized the company’s DEI decision, urging shoppers to stop shopping at the Minneapolis-based company and spend their money elsewhere.
While details were not provided, Sharpton released a statement via Instagram afterward, describing the conversation as “constructive and candid.”
“I will inform our allies, including Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, about our discussion and my feelings, and we will proceed from there,” said Sharpton.