Greene County Democrat

Tag: equity

  • Newswire : Tariffs, Boycotts slam Target’s bottom line

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

    Target Corporation is projecting a decline in annual sales and profits for 2025 as the retail giant struggles with fallout from its decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, pressure from new tariffs, and organized boycotts by Black consumers and media. The company reported first-quarter net sales of $23.8 billion, a 2.8% drop from the same period last year, and revised its full-year outlook downward, now forecasting a low single-digit decline in sales and adjusted earnings per share of $7.00 to $9.00.

    Adjusted earnings for the quarter fell nearly 36% year-over-year to $1.30 per share, down from $2.03, when excluding a one-time $593 million pre-tax gain from a credit card interchange fee settlement. “Our team navigated a highly challenging environment and focused on delivering the outstanding assortment, experience, and value guests expect from Target,” Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said during an investor call. “While our sales fell short of our expectations, we saw several bright spots in the quarter, including healthy digital growth, led by a 36 percent increase in same-day delivery through Target Circle 360, and our strongest designer collaboration in over a decade,
    Kate Spade for Target.” Cornell also acknowledged the backlash, saying, “We’re not satisfied with current performance and know we have opportunities to deliver faster progress on our roadmap for growth. This morning, we announced the establishment of a multi-year acceleration office led by Michael Fiddelke and several leadership changes. These steps forward are intended to build more speed and agility into how we operate and position key capabilities to drive long-term profitable growth.”
    Yet those changes are landing amid heightened scrutiny and organized resistance. In addition to financial pressures from tariffs, Target is now the focus of a national selective buying campaign launched by the Black Press of America after the company announced in January that it would phase out its DEI commitments. In a joint op-ed made available to millions of readers, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), and Bobby R. Henry Sr., NNPA Chair and publisher of the Westside Gazette, issued a searing indictment of the company’s direction. “As far back as October 2024, we sent a formal letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell detailing the company’s persistent refusal to invest in Black-owned newspapers and media outlets. That letter was met with silence. Silence, in the face of truth, is complicity. By ignoring our appeal, Mr. Cornell and Target have made clear that they do not value the voices, institutions, or the economic power of Black America,” they wrote. “Let us be clear: we will not shop where we are disrespected. Our dollars will not finance our own marginalization.”

    Tanya Milton, Vice President and Advertising Director at The Savannah Tribune said the boycott is making an impact and that Target’s disengagement speaks volumes. “Their continued silence could mean them hoping not to draw attention to their losses,” Milton said. Asked how Black consumers should interpret the company’s decision to end its DEI programs, she added, “If they just got on board three years ago, then it’s not a big deal to them. Black consumers shopped there before they were onboard.”

    She also addressed the broader consequences of Target’s failure to invest in Black-owned media. “Being visible helps to make your brand a household name,” she said. Target’s troubles continue to ripple through Wall Street. Shares fell nearly 7% after the earnings announcement and are down 33% year-to-date. Despite its digital gains and successful designer collaborations, Target reported a comparable store sales decline of 5.7%, even as digital sales grew 4.7%. Cornell told investors the company has “many levers” to mitigate the effects of tariffs, and that raising prices would only come as a “very last resort.”
    Still, for many, the damage is already done. “We therefore announce the continuation and intensification of the target-TARGET national selective buying campaign,” Chavis and Henry stated. “We call upon all freedom-loving people from across all segments of society who believe in economic justice, media equity, and corporate accountability to join us.”

  • Newswire : Young Americans losing faith in the system

    By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

    A new national survey from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School finds young Americans facing financial uncertainty, deteriorating mental health, and a growing lack of trust in institutions. The 50th edition of the Harvard Youth Poll offers a comprehensive look at the attitudes of Americans aged 18 to 29—particularly young Black individuals—who feel increasingly left out of national conversations and underserved by political leadership.

    Conducted March 14–25, 2025, the poll surveyed 2,096 respondents across the country. More than four in 10 say they are “barely getting by” financially. Young Black Americans continue to face deep financial stress, with 45% reporting hardship. Many express concern about limited opportunities, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of education and housing. Among those struggling, 51% believe President Trump’s policies will worsen their finances in the coming years.

    Only 15% of all respondents say the country is headed in the right direction. Just 16% report doing well financially, while economic hardship is more severe for women, young Hispanics, and those without a college degree. Nearly half of young women (47%) report limited financial security, while 52% of young Hispanics say they are struggling or just getting by. Half of respondents without a degree report hardship, compared to 29% of college graduates.
    Approval ratings among young Americans continue to decline. President Trump’s approval stands at 31%, virtually unchanged from earlier years. Approval of Democrats in Congress has dropped to 23%, down from 42% in 2017. Congressional Republicans remain essentially unchanged at 29%. Among young Black Americans, Trump’s approval has risen to 16%—up from just 6% in 2017—but a strong majority still disapprove. Social connection has also weakened. Only 17% of young people report feeling deeply connected to any community, and 18% say they feel no strong sense of belonging. For Black youth, the sense of isolation intersects with political disengagement and mental health struggles. Those without strong community ties are more likely to report symptoms of depression, with 59% saying they felt down or hopeless for several days in the past two weeks.
    The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain evident. Isolation during formative years—especially among those who were entering high school or college in 2020—continues to shape mental health outcomes. Individuals aged 19 and 23 report the highest levels of lasting social isolation, with 38% and 40%, respectively, saying they lost connection with friends and have not reestablished those relationships. Among those who lost friendships and failed to reconnect, 55% reported depressive symptoms. Views on traditional life milestones are shifting. Just 48% say having children is important, and 57% say the same about getting married. While 86% say financial security is a top goal, only 56% are confident they’ll achieve it.
    Confidence in reaching life goals is higher among Republicans, who are more likely than Democrats to say marriage, children, and homeownership are important—and achievable. Distrust in major institutions is widespread. Only 19% of young Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing most or all of the time. Trust in Congress stands at 18%, the presidency at 23%, and the Supreme Court at 29%. The survey also found that young Black Americans are more likely to say they feel excluded from decisions that affect their lives and communities.
    The debate over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) remains divisive. Just 9% of young Americans say DEI initiatives have helped them personally, while 11% say they have been harmed. Among Democrats, 22% report positive experiences with DEI, compared to only 3% of Republicans. Conversely, 21% of young Republicans believe DEI harmed them. Young people of color are more likely than white youth to view DEI as promoting fairness.
    Foreign policy views also reveal generational differences. Young Republicans are less likely to support global alliances than Democrats. Only 13% of young Republicans say the U.S. should maintain current NATO obligations, compared to 46% of Democrats. When asked about reasons for U.S. involvement abroad, respondents most often cited protecting allies, defending national security, and addressing human rights violations—but fewer than one in five supported interventions to promote democracy or counter foreign influence. Concerns about immigration have shifted over the past year. Forty-two percent of young Americans now say there is a crisis at the Southern border—down from 53% in 2024. Among Democrats, belief in a border crisis dropped 17 points, from 43% to 26%. Democratic respondents are also more likely to say that recent immigration has done more good than harm.
    President Trump’s policy proposals continue to meet resistance among young Americans. None of the eight tested initiatives—ranging from tariffs to eliminating federal departments—received majority support. Tariffs were backed by just 19% overall, and only 5% of Democrats. A proposal to create a Department of Government Efficiency received 35% support, the highest among those tested. One of the least supported policies—redeveloping Gaza by displacing Palestinians—was opposed by a majority, including 77% of Democrats. “These findings are a stark reality check,” said Setti Warren, director of the Institute of Politics. “And leaders across the country would be wise to pay close attention.” “This is a generation that’s weathered pandemic isolation during formative years, entered an unstable economy, and faced skyrocketing housing and education costs—all while being told they’re not resilient enough,” said John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Institute of Politics. “What Gen Z needs isn’t another lecture, but genuine recognition of their struggles and leaders willing to listen before they speak.”
    “Amid financial hardship and a devastating crisis of community, young Americans are increasingly disillusioned with the world as they struggle to find their place in it,” said Jordan Schwartz, student chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project. “This generation doesn’t expect politics to solve their problems, but as young Americans continue to lose faith in government institutions, the need for politicians to listen to and learn from young people has never been greater.”

  • Newswire : Rev. Bryant and the Black Press won’t let Target off the hook

    By Stacy M. Brown
 BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

    Rev. Jamal Bryant is urging Black Americans to keep the pressure on Target by continuing the national boycott that began as a 40-day economic “fast.” The move, sparked by the retail giant’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has already cost the company an estimated $12 billion, Bryant said. “Because of your fast, Target has lost $12 billion,” Bryant told his congregation. “I am so grateful that there is power in unity, and we know the strength of Black economics.”
    Since the fast began, Target’s stock has plummeted from $138 to $94 per share, and in-store foot traffic is down by 7.9%. The boycott gained traction after Target announced it would wind down racial equity programs it introduced following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. The company, which operates nearly 2,000 stores and employs over 400,000 people, said it had always planned to sunset the programs after three years. However, many saw the decision as a retreat from commitments made to Black communities.
    After meeting with Target executives, Bryant confirmed that the company agreed to just one of the boycott’s four major demands: fulfilling its $2 billion pledge to support Black businesses through product placement, services, and investments in Black-owned media. The company has yet to meet demands to deposit $250 million into Black-owned banks, reinstate DEI programs, or fund community pipeline centers at 10 HBCUs focused on teaching retail business. Bryant said Target’s response wasn’t enough. “Target cannot selectively decide which parts of our dignity they’re willing to honor,” he said.

    A growing coalition of African American leaders and organizations—including the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)—has continued meeting to strategize further action. At the center of the discussion is the role of the Black Press, which Target has yet to acknowledge in a meaningful way, despite more than a year of outreach by the NNPA under President Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., with assistance from former U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler.

    Chavis stressed that any agreement with Target must include investment in Black-owned media, including outlets like BlackPressUSA.com, The Washington Informer, Philadelphia Tribune, and Chicago Defender. “The dissemination of this message and narrative is only accurately done by the Black Press in 2025 and beyond,” Chavis said. For nearly 200 years, the Black Press has played a pivotal role in American life, particularly for African Americans. From its inception in 1827 with Freedom’s Journal, the Black Press has informed, educated, and empowered Black communities while countering the negative portrayals that dominate mainstream media.
    As documented by the Oxford Bibliographies, the Black Press has served as “agents of social change” and “defenders of shared values and interests.” During Reconstruction and Jim Crow, Black journalists like Ida B. Wells used the press to expose racial violence and injustice. Wells’ work documenting lynchings and countering white supremacist propaganda laid the foundation for the Black Press to serve as a vital corrective force in American media. That legacy remains just as urgent today. Modern studies show that negative portrayals of Black people in media lead to harmful outcomes, from over-criminalization and over-sexualization to negative health effects and social exclusion. The Black Press continues to challenge that narrative.
    Cheryl Smith, publisher of Texas Metro News and Garland Journal, said the importance of the Black Press cannot be overstated. “If we look back at every period in our lives since its inception, we can see how significant the Black Press was,” Smith said. “We need to see it and believe it every day we get up, and I promise you, we will be stronger, more vibrant, and more powerful people.”
    The NNPA currently represents more than 200 Black-owned newspapers across the country, continuing a legacy that is nearly as old as the United States itself. As America nears its 249th birthday, the Black Press marks 198 years of continuous service. “The largest Black population in American history are now openly and unapologetically demanding freedom, justice, equality, democracy, and equity,” Chavis said. “And the only media institutions that have always stood with us are our own.” As Bryant calls for continued boycott efforts, he and Chavis are reminding Black America that real leverage comes not only from what it refuses to accept—but also from what it insists on valuing. “We’ve seen what happens when we stand together,” Bryant said. “Now we keep standing.”

  • Newswire : DEI rollback costs Target billions and loyalty

    National Boycott of Target stores

    By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

     

    Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its shifting DEI policies.

    Separate but powerful actions from Black-led organizations and faith leaders have intensified pressure on the company. Rev. Jamal Bryant launched a national Target Fast, calling for continued community mobilization. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the NAACP initiated public education and selective buying campaigns. While distinct in approach, the collective efforts have amplified scrutiny and economic consequences for Target. “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard,” said Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”

    Early data from analytics firms Placer.ai and Numerator confirms a decline in consumer support. Numerator found that Black and Hispanic households are reducing their visits to Target at the highest rates. Placer.ai reported that on the national blackout day last month, Target saw an 11 percent decline in store traffic compared to average Friday visits. Since the company’s January 24 DEI reversal, Placer.ai data shows
    Target’s overall foot traffic has fallen every week. In contrast, Costco has gained ground. The warehouse chain rejected a shareholder proposal to weaken its diversity programs and stayed firm in its DEI stance. Analysts say Costco’s consistency and longstanding commitment to high wages and strong employee benefits may attract consumers frustrated with Target’s retreat. Costco’s shares have outperformed those of Walmart and Target over the same period. Walmart has also seen a dip in foot traffic, though not as sharp as Target.
    While grassroots boycotts are not always financially damaging in the long term, Target’s situation may prove different. “Boycotts put a ‘negative spotlight’ on the company that can have reputational consequences,” Brayden King, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, told Forbes. He noted that consumer trust, closely tied to corporate reputation, plays a critical role in shopping habits.
     In addition to its woes, Target issued a string of recalls in 2025 involving products sold on shelves due to undeclared allergens and injury hazards. Affected items included Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, Dorel Safety 1st Comfort Ride and Magic Squad child car seats, Nuby stroller fans, Baby Joy highchairs, Chomps beef and turkey sticks, and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix.
    Rev. Bryant said Target Fast has now mobilized more than 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their products from Target. He urged continued focus and unity in holding the company accountable. “It is critical that Black people can’t afford to get A.D.D; we can’t taper off and lose synergy. It’s important that people stay the course and keep amplifying our voices because it is being heard from Wall Street to Main Street,” Bryant said. He added, “No, I’m now committed and grateful.”

  • Newswire : Alabama Republicans pass controversial anti-diversity legislation

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
    Alabama Republicans have stirred controversy with the passage of a divisive bill targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) efforts in public colleges. The legislation slashes funding for diversity programs and imposes restrictions on discussing “divisive concepts” related to race and gender within educational settings. Alabama’s Republican Governor, Kay Ivey, signed the legislation as soon as it reached her desk.

    Met with widespread support in the State Legislature, the bill faced vehement opposition from various quarters. Democrats, student groups, and civil rights advocates condemned it as an assault on free speech and diversity initiatives, particularly poignant given Alabama’s history of segregation and racism.
    “The advancements that we have made… in this country, they’re slowly rolling it back,” remarked State Representative Juandalynn Givan, a Democrat, expressing concerns over the bill’s implications.

    Furthermore, the legislation prohibits transgender individuals from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity on public university campuses, aligning Alabama with a broader right-wing campaign targeting D.E.I. programs nationwide.

    With the bill’s passage, dissent persists. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin urged student-athletes to consider institutions prioritizing diversity and inclusion, suggesting potential repercussions for Alabama’s educational institutions.

    “Would you be cool with your child playing at schools where diversity among staff is actively being discouraged?” Mayor Randall Woodfin asked, emphasizing the importance of diversity in educational settings.

    Meanwhile, students rallied against similar anti-D.E.I. measures at the University of Louisville, fearing academic restrictions and scholarship implications.
    “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the empty words we’ve been given,” remarked protester Elizabeth Hinsdale. “If I am not able to study what I want to at this university or any in Kentucky, I’m left with no choice but to transfer out of state,” added Savannah Dowell, expressing concerns about potential academic limitations.

    Several states across the country have passed or proposed anti-DE&I bills that target diversity training, curriculum content, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity in various sectors. States such as Texas, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee have advanced or enacted legislation restricting discussions on topics related to race and gender in educational institutions, public workplaces, and government-funded programs.

  • Newswire : NAACP urges Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida Colleges amid DEI funding controversy

    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – APRIL 13: Kahleil Jackson #22 scores a touchdown against Miguel Mitchell #10 during the 2nd quarter of the Florida Gators spring football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 13, 2023 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

    Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and a photo of Black football players

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson has called on Black student-athletes to reconsider their decisions to attend public colleges and universities in Florida. The call comes in response to a new state policy preventing institutions from utilizing government funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

    In a letter sent to current and prospective student-athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Monday, NBC News reported that Johnson urged them to “choose wisely” amidst the ongoing debate surrounding DEI funding in Florida. He emphasized the crucial role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes, noting that Black athletes’ value to large universities is unmatched.

    The controversy stems from a bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last year, restricting public colleges and universities from using state and federal funds for DEI programs. “If these institutions are unable to completely invest in those athletes, it’s time they take their talents elsewhere,” Johnson declared, according to NBC News.

    The University of Florida’s recent decision to eliminate all DEI positions, complying with the state rule, drew condemnation from NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, an alum of the school. Smith emphasized the need for minority athletes to be aware and vocal about such decisions.

    The trend against DEI programs has heightened, with Republican politicians in more than 30 states introducing bills to restrict or regulate such efforts. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, for instance, signed a law last year ordering the closure of DEI offices at state-funded colleges and universities.

    The NAACP’s call comes on the heels of a similar message from Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Randall Woodfin, who asserted that if his state passed a bill blocking funding for DEI in public colleges, he would encourage student-athletes to explore programs in other states.

    Florida’s significance in Division I athletics and its central role in college sports business are one issue the NAACP zeroed in on. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the University of Florida’s sports teams generated over $177 million in revenue from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.

    “If any institution is to reap the benefits of Black talent, it is only right that they completely invest in Black futures,” Johnson argued.
     

  • Newswire : Lawsuits pile up against companies who failed to honor DE&I pledges after murder of George Floyd

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    The aftermath of George Floyd’s murder has led to several large corporations facing multiple lawsuits for failing to meet the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments they made.
The commitments were made following Floyd’s death in 2020, with businesses quickly issuing statements and pledging to adopt new ways to combat racism.
Those pledges included addressing ethnic and gender inequalities among their employee ranks.
However, according to Bloomberg Law, a host of lawsuits claim those pledges were never met.Among the most egregious parties are Wells Fargo and Delta Air Lines.
Bloomberg said those companies falsely claimed that, over the past three years, they worked to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Five shareholder lawsuits allege that Wells Fargo ran afoul of federal law against discrimination. Wells performed “sham interviews to nominally fulfill a diversity-enhancing policy,” the lawsuit claims. Further, the bank’s board acted on diversity and inclusion issues only because of negative media coverage.
Law firms have filed at least 40 suits alleging that employment discrimination has only increased since pledges were made. Sarah Fortt, worldwide co-chair of Latham & Watkins LLP’s environmental, social, and governance practice, told the outlet that she also noted a spike in “‘reverse discrimination’ claims.”
According to a published report, these lawsuits take the form of shareholder derivative proceedings, in which investors claim that a company’s failure to achieve specific DEI goals caused the value of its stock to decline.
Bloomberg noted that “DEI-specialized lawyers, academics, and practitioners contend that companies must balance the needs of the business, employees, shareholders, and customers when creating progressive initiatives while averting legal action from any of those groups.”
Bloomberg continued: One strategy offered is formulating policies “aspirationally,” or in general terms.
Lawyers asserted that instead of creating a strict quota to employ a specific number of people of color for its board, a corporation might aim to match the proportion of people of color in its workforce to that of people of color on its board.
Elena Philipova, director of sustainable finance at Refinitiv, noted that the most prosperous businesses are genuine, and authentic and have DEI objectives built into their DNA.
Despite the lawsuits, some corporations have moved to improve DEI within their organizations. For example, in December 2020, Microsoft announced that it had achieved its goal of doubling the number of Black and African American managers, senior individual contributors, and senior leaders in the U.S.
However, the report noted that the company still has work to do to achieve gender and racial parity at all levels. Additionally, some companies are incorporating innovative approaches to improve diversity and inclusion.
For instance, Airbnb has reportedly implemented a program called “Project Lighthouse” to increase representation across race, gender, and other dimensions.
The program includes creating “belonging assessments” that measure employees’ sense of belonging and connection to the company and then creating tailored solutions based on the results.
Still, the report concluded that some corporations had improved diversity and inclusion, while others faced lawsuits for failing to meet their DEI commitments.
The most prosperous businesses are open and honest about their objectives, pay attention to their staff, and incorporate DEI objectives into all operations, Philipova told Bloomberg.
“It really needs to be genuine and authentic, built into the DNA of the organization, and then being transparent.