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Target slashes DEI initiatives and communities are torn 

NORAL PARHAM
NORAL PARHAM
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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In a significant policy shift, Target Corporation announced the conclusion of several of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies.  

This move raised concerns about the potential impact on marginalized communities, particularly Black and brown populations, and reflects a more comprehensive trend among major U.S. corporations. 

On Jan. 24, Target announced the conclusion of its three-year DEI plan, including the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative. 

The company plans to cease participation in external diversity-centric questionnaires and transition its “Supplier Diversity” team to “Supplier Engagement,” per the company’s website. 

Former Target frequenter La’Meshia Hayes, Indianapolis, said the move caused a fracture in the community. 

“Target’s decision to repeal their initiatives surrounding diversity has put us in a tough spot,” Hayes told the Indianapolis Recorder. “We are torn because we want to support the small Black-owned businesses that have products on their shelves. We are unsure if those products will be around much longer.”

Target has long been recognized for its commitment to DEI. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd near its Minneapolis headquarters, the company pledged investments over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025. 

This commitment included increasing the representation of Black employees by 20% and enhancing support for Black-owned suppliers. 

Hayes is a member of the “Black Girls Who Love Target” Facebook group, a community of over 101,000 members, mostly women of color. They use the group to discuss their love, fascination and frustration with the company. 

“When other companies announced their removal of DEI programs, we were talking in the group like ‘Target would never,’ and now, ironically, they have,” Hayes said. “The group is so torn right now.” 

woman with megaphone
(Photo/Getty Images)

Target’s decision aligns with a broader corporate trend influenced by recent political actions. President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” signed on Jan. 21, directs federal agencies to end DEI programs and prompts private companies to follow suit.  

The termination of DEI initiatives by Target and other corporations generates noteworthy implications for marginalized communities. These programs are instrumental in promoting workplace diversity and providing opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The discontinuation of such initiatives may hinder progress toward equitable representation and economic inclusion. 

The response from the community is mixed. Some Black-owned brands expressed concern that boycotting Target could inadvertently harm their businesses, which rely on the retailer for distribution and visibility.  

“We don’t know what we should do,” Hayes told the Indianapolis Recorder. 

Target’s decision to scale back its DEI initiatives marks a pivotal moment with far-reaching implications for Black and brown communities and businesses. 

“We remain focused on driving our business by creating a sense of belonging for our team, guests and communities through a commitment to inclusion,” Target said in a statement. “Belonging for all is an essential part of our team and culture, helping fuel consumer relevance and business results.”

Now, Hayes is unsure of the company’s commitment to DEI.

“I am going to take my time because I want to make an informed decision about where I spend my dollars, my Black dollars,” Hayes said.


Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more news, click here.

Senior Sports Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Noral Parham III.
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Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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