Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
#unityinmotion and our economic power
Hello friends,
This has been a very eventful Black History Month—especially with all the rollbacks of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs across our nation. Because I volunteer as the Chairperson for Communications, Press and Publicity for our local NAACP Branch 1034, I am particularly aware of the earnestness among Black Americans who are standing up to the current administration and to corporate America. Decades of civil rights progress is being shaken as the federal government and corporations renege on commitments to support the marginalized.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) has formed the Black Consumer Advisory encouraging Black Americans—and all Americans—to stand for equity. This backtracking by corporations affects not only African Americans, but also women and other minorities. This Advisory, along with two other initiatives I am sharing here, are ways we can use our spending power to make a statement to the powers that be. The NAACP website says this about the Black Consumer Advisory:
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a trend. It's a way of life.
In the wake of nationwide protests against systemic racism in 2020, many corporations and institutions publicly committed to being more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Five years later, and some are starting to backtrack without ever meeting promises made. As businesses reverse their commitments, it is time to hold them accountable.
The NAACP issued the Black Consumer Advisory to inform and caution Black consumers about the ongoing and intentional rollback of nationwide diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments. We encourage you to spend your money where you're respected, support Black-owned businesses, and demand businesses prioritize people over profit. Above all, we continue to advocate for policies that ensure people of color, women, veterans, those with a disability, and all protected groups have equal access to opportunities across this country.
If you're interested to learn more, here is the Black Consumer Advisory statement in full.
Another way to show support for the Black community is the Economic Blackout which is trending on social media. This Friday, February 28th, we are standing together to refrain from spending at any box stores that have rolled back their DEI initiatives, like: Amazon, Walmart, and Target. For one day, we are encouraged to not buy from these stores (and others) to demonstrate to corporate America how we oppose the direction our nation is taking. From the The People’s Union USA website:
The February 28th Economic Blackout is an initiative by The People's Union USA, which describes itself as “a grassroots movement dedicated to economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform.”
February 28 is a symbolic start to economic resistance, a day where we show corporations and politicians that we control the economy.
Lastly, I've also become aware of the Target Fast. Dr. Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Church, called for a 40-day fast, in light of the upcoming season of Lent, in which consumers refrain from shopping at Target from March 3rd through April 17th. Selecting Target for the fast is based on the rollback of the Minneapolis company’s commitment to the Black Community after the death of George Floyd. In an article from Atlanta News First on February 4 titled “Metro Atlanta Pastor Calls for Target ‘Fast’ from Black Community after Company Erases DEI Policy,” Renaldo Hopkins states:
On Friday January 24th, Target announced it would join rival company Walmart in cutting out its DEI policy in response to the White House's push to remove the initiatives.
After George Floyd's death in 2020, Target began its “Belonging at the Bullseye” strategy to connect with the Black community by building employees’ careers, improving their shopping experience, and promoting Black-owned businesses.
Bryant highlighted how much Black people spend in Target each month and challenged the company that if they spend as much as they do, the company should be able to give back to the community through things such as employment and scholarships
Bryant said the fight against DEI is a spiritual issue that he, his congregation, and the Black community will have to come face-to-face with.
At the website targetfast.org we read:
Lent is a sacred season of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal. It is a time when we draw closer to God by letting go of the things that distract us and recommitting ourselves to justice, love, and righteousness. As we enter this Lenten season, we are called not only to personal transformation, but also to prophetic action.
In recent days, we have witnessed the disturbing retreat from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives by major corporations—companies that once pledged to stand for justice but have since chosen the path of compromise. These rollbacks represent more than just corporate decisions; they reflect a deeper erosion of the moral and ethical commitments necessary to build a just society. As people of faith, we cannot be silent. We are called to resist systems that perpetuate exclusion and inequity.
…Just as Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, challenging the exploitation and hypocrisy of his day, we too must disrupt business as usual. Fasting is not just about what we abstain from—it is about what we embrace. By redirecting our resources toward businesses that uphold justice, we embody our commitment to God's vision of equity and love in action.
This is a fast for accountability. A fast for justice. A fast for a future where corporations do not bow to pressure at the expense of marginalized communities.
Black America is the world's 12th wealthiest nation in spending power. We are strong consumers with astounding brand loyalty. To see companies we've supported heavily—like McDonald's, Ford Motors, Amazon, Meta, and Walmart—betray our long-standing relationship is beyond disheartening.
The greatest insult comes from Target, which pledged over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, only to find out that Target stopped the Program at the start of the year. Black people spend over $12 million a day at Target.
I've never been a part of a Lenten tradition, as the evangelical churches I've attended do not practice Lent. However, I've admired aspects of Lent and respect the friends and family who choose to abstain from foods or habits during the period leading up to Easter. I'm compelled to stand with my Black brothers and sisters in these endeavors to send a strong message to corporate America that DEI initiatives are not an inefficiency in the system that should be eliminated, but are on the contrary a measure of grace for marginalized populations which include the BIPOC communities, women, LGBTQ, veterans, and the disabled.
I could spend a lot of time researching and elucidating about DEI, but this is what I know: in our area DEI programs in local schools have helped stabilize and support vulnerable student populations during the past five years. A local school district, which decided to defund its DEI programs, lost valuable faculty leaders, school counselors, and at risk youth programs. There was a great public outcry over the abandonment of student health in numerous ways. (See an article about this.)
This is what is happening now all over our nation as corporations pull back on commitments to assist women and minorities. Previous supports for those who historically faced inherent discrimination are now being abandoned.
I've been inspired by my Black friends and colleagues. This Black History Month, our NAACP branch is more active than ever—with citizens of our nine city area becoming members, getting involved in the branch, and signing up for leadership roles. Numerous Black History Month events with partnering organizations have been attended by our members. And some of us were present for the Temecula REDI (Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Commission meeting for their Black History Month Proclamation. We showed up to support a civic institution which is committed to the American values of truth and justice. Myles Ross, our Branch President, and I will also attend the Temecula City Council meeting tonight to express appreciation to the city for keeping its DEI stance and continuing with the REDI Commission—in a time when many organizations are dismantling such offerings.
We are making our voices heard and banding together. At our monthly membership meeting on Saturday, our Education Chair Dr. Shellie Dansby headed a partnership social for other Black organizations around our area. We heard from AAPACs (African American Parent Advisory Councils), businesses, non-profits, and the Inland Valley Black Chamber of Commerce whose president is Dr. Evelyn Anderson.
“Dr. E” spoke in a reassuring tone, insisting that we are a united people—not divided. She mentioned #unityinmotion which has been coined by the Black Chamber of Commerce, and encouraged us to use that phrase as we continue to act and speak on behalf of DEI in our communities. She maintains that changing ourselves is where the difference is made, and then we reach out to others in support. And I say Amen to that, because that is the premise of The Healers are Rising. As we work on ourselves, heal and challenge ourselves, we are impacting each other. The more of us doing this honest work to transform our pasts and disadvantages, the more of us who will then bridge those divides and bring light to the darkness.
Last weekend, I watched the movie The Six Triple Eight, which had been recommended to me by an NAACP colleague. The film highlights the contributions of an all-female, all-Black Army battalion during World War 2. It's an inspiring story, and we witness the multiple experiences of racism and discrimination these women and their commander, Major Charity Adams, endure.
Even in the tense atmosphere of war when a nation should be coming together, ages-old prejudices continually assault the brave women sent to Europe to untangle and deliver a backlog of mail for the troops. Despite 10+ warehouses full of languishing packages and letters, despite no heated barracks provided, despite numerous other insults and injustices, these women completed their assignment (that no one else would touch) in half the time allotted—even when supervisors set them up to fail.
Set up to fail: that has too often been the approach of this nation, our government, our banking systems, our home ownership systems, our medical care, our military, our retail centers, our schools—all of them historically set up to impede the progress of the Black community. The film portrays the inequity well, but more than that, it shows how integrity, commitment, and unity caused these women to rise and shine together.
May we honor them and our Black brothers and sisters this month.
For unity in motion,
Jen
Thank you. ❤️