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Google is doubling down on its move away from DEI goals. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, a shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been occurring across the nation. This has been seen in the venture capital space, with funding for Black-owned businesses being challenged in court. At the federal level, when he took office President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle DEI-related “mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities” in the federal government, Business Insider notes. These changes, combined with political and legal pressures, have driven major companies to rethink their DEI initiatives. Some big tech companies, such as Meta, Amazon, and Google, have retracted their DEI commitments. “We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities, and over the last year, we’ve been reviewing our programs designed to help us get there,” a Google spokesperson told Business Insider in...
Verizon is receiving pushback for upholding its DEI commitments. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, pressures from conservative groups and efforts by President Donald Trump’s White House to dismantle DEI-related policies and programs have led major companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Google to follow suit. “We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities, and over the last year, we’ve been reviewing our programs designed to help us get there,” a Google spokesperson told Business Insider in February. Not all companies are shifting gears. In fact, Apple’s shareholders voted against a proposal that would dismiss its diversity and inclusion program in February 2025. Additionally, Verizon is maintaining its DEI stance and sees it as a vehicle for success. “Verizon is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We care about diversity in both our employees and our suppliers. Diversity and inclusion is how we achieve success,” a...
Coca-Cola remains committed to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, saying that neglecting these efforts could do more harm than good for its business. According to Business Insider, Coca-Cola’s annual filing states that fostering an inclusive workplace culture is “critical” to its growth and success. “Our diverse, high-performing global employee base helps drive a culture of inclusion, innovation and growth,” the company stated. “We aspire to develop a global workforce with diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds that reflect the broad range of consumers and markets we serve around the world.” Coca-Cola warned that failing to entice and retain this specialized top-tier talent could lead to negative consequences for its growth and future success. The company added that it remained committed to “providing access to equal opportunities and fostering belonging both in our workplaces and the local communities we proudly serve,” saying the opposite could...
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has changed its stance on underwriting initial public offerings (IPOs) for companies with all-white male boards. In 2020, CEO David Solomon announced that the leading investment bank would only take a company public in the United States or Western Europe if the organization had at least two diverse board members, one of whom was a woman, AFROTECH™ previously reported. However, as of Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Goldman’s IPO requirement is null and void, according to Bloomberg. “As a result of legal developments related to board diversity requirements, we ended our formal board diversity policy,” said Goldman spokesperson Tony Fratto, Bloomberg reported . “We continue to believe that successful boards benefit from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we will encourage them to take this approach.” Goldman’s 12-member board currently includes two people of color , one of whom is a woman. Among the bank’s executives, 73% are white, with 56% being men. Data...
In a decision reflecting a broader trend in the corporate world, Google has eliminated its diversity-based hiring targets and quietly erased language relating to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from its annual report. This decision isn’t just a corporate policy update. This move aligns with a growing trend of companies scaling back public commitments to DEI in response to evolving legal and political pressures. The ripple effect of this change reaches far beyond Silicon Valley, raising urgent questions about the future of workplace diversity, corporate responsibility, and the very fabric of inclusive leadership in America. Google Shifts Away From DEI Metrics According to Reuters, Google’s move came after the company abandoned its diversity hiring goals, which were initially designed to foster a more inclusive workforce. The company cited the impact of recent court decisions and executive orders from the Trump administration as pivotal factors influencing this change. These...
Progress is often only seen as positive based on the sustainability measures associated with it, and many organizations have not kept their promises regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This abandonment informs many (DEI) advocates’ perspectives when explaining the recent rollback of DEI programs at large and small corporations. The removal of equity-focused programming is not new. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, many companies that made commitments to DEI in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd have dialed back or cut programs. Now, Microsoft is among the big-name companies, specifically in tech, that have decided to eliminate their intentional strategies around DEI. The pervasive question to these cuts is “why?” According to Business Insider, it was due to “changing business needs.” “True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” a leader of the laid off DEI team wrote in an...
Michael Jordan, together with his eponymous Jordan Brand, has announced a new set of financial initiatives for Black excellence. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that they’ve issued grants to three renowned institutions: Morehouse College, a popular Historically Black College and University; Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture; and Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. Jordan will be donating $3 million to the Smithsonian over the course of three years. He will be donating $1 million over two years to Morehouse, and he will be donating $1 million over two years to the Ida B. Wells Society. “Education is crucial for understanding the Black experience today,” says Michael Jordan in the press release announcement. “We want to help people understand the truth of our past, and help tell the stories that will shape our future.” Legendary director Spike Lee, a 1979 graduate of Morehouse College, said that Michael...
Disney shareholders have rejected a proposal that would require it to withdraw from a corporate equality index. According to its website, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is intended to uphold LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion through its benchmarking tool that measures “corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.” “For 22 years, the CEI has served as corporate America’s roadmap for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion—not as a political statement, but as a framework for building stronger, more competitive businesses where all talent can thrive,” Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement shared in its 2025 CEI report. She later added, “The path forward requires courage, commitment, and clarity of purpose. We will continue to serve as a partner on this journey. Together, we’re building not just better workplaces, but a stronger, more competitive, and more...
It appears a four-year partnership between Buy From a Black Woman and H&M has come to an end. According to a press release, the nonprofit, founded by Nikki Porcher in 2016, has partnered with H&M since International Women’s Day in 2021. Together, they have supported 30 Black women through accelerator programs and helped over 15 founders obtain their Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification within two years. On its own, Buy from A Black Women has hosted over 100 workshops and trainings, awarded 45 business grants, and provided 20 relief fund stipends to Black women business owners. Between 2022 and 2023, Buy From a Black Woman was able to drive more than $2.7 million in revenue towards Black woman founders. In 2023, Buy From a Black Woman and H&M hosted the The Inspire Tour, which was the brainchild of Porcher since 2019, and it reached various cities including Philadelphia, PA ; Charlotte, NC ; Houston, TX ; Los Angeles, CA; and Atlanta, GA. The aim was to amplify...
TJ Maxx is a popular budget store that many people have come to love. As shoppers are increasingly drawn to retailers that offer both value and variety, TJ Maxx thrives thanks to its mix of designer brands and discount prices. It’s not just about the thrill of finding a great deal for fashion enthusiasts – it’s also about the experience of uncovering hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for trendy clothing, home decor or even unique accessories, they offer an ever-changing treasure trove of options. Although the store has been a reliable favorite for years, there has been some speculation about the popular chain recently as consumers keep an eye out for their stance on diversity, equity and inclusion. In the past, TJX Companies (the parent company of TJ Maxx) has publicly stated its commitment to building a more inclusive and diverse workplace . Yet with the DEI frenzy over the last few weeks, shoppers are not entirely convinced that the budget store is fully onboard with the DEI...
Issa Rae is applauding those who are upholding DEI efforts. During SXSW 2025 in Austin, TX, the actress, producer, and newest part-owner of San Diego FC participated in a keynote conversation where she shared her thoughts on the evolving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A racial awakening occurred in 2020 following the death of George Floyd due to police brutality. This led to an influx of support and a record-breaking $4.3 billion in venture capital and corporate investments towards Black-owned businesses, per ABC News, as well as a 55% increase in DEI roles created, notes NBC News. As time has gone on, many of these bold commitments around DEI have faded out. This has only worsened due to pressures from conservative groups challenging such efforts in litigation, with some success. Legal wins for the right have included the dismantling of Fearless Fund’s Strivers Grant program, which awarded Black woman-owned businesses, and the...
Global Day of Unplugging was March 7-8, 2025, and Verizon has been doing its part to address the growing challenge of managing screen time and its effects on overall well-being. According to Verizon, the average Verizon home internet household connects 18 devices and the number is rising. On March 6, 2025, at the inaugural Digital Wellness Summit hosted by actress and TV host Drew Barrymore, the company introduced several initiatives to promote healthy digital habits for families. Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer, oversees the company’s vast network, which serves millions of consumers across America with wireless devices and home internet. In a recent discussion with AFROTECH™ about digital wellness , Sampath highlighted the challenges of underserved communities, particularly regarding access to technology and knowledge, as well as the need to advocate for increased awareness and greater accessibility. “Which is why Verizon is getting involved in this,” he said. “You...
A 40-day boycott against Target began after the company retracted its DEI commitments. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Target abruptly ended its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including submitting reports to an external diversity-focused group and a program to ensure Black-owned and minority-owned businesses were stocked in stores. “Many years of data, insights, listening, and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” said Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer at Target, according to NBC News. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future — all in service of driving Target’s growth and winning together.” Target has faced backlash after shifting gears. In fact, in a proposed class action, its shareholders revealed that the major retailer did not disclose the repercussions of scaling back its...
After her first business failed, Carolyn Rodz is now making it her mission to help other entrepreneurs succeed. Rodz was an investment banker for JPMorgan Chase between 2001 and 2005, per her LinkedIn. After exiting her job, she ventured into entrepreneurship , but that did not fare well, leading her to reenter the workforce. Although this was a trying time, it did not deter her from entrepreneurship altogether — she launched Cake, a digital media company, in 2009 and exited in 2015 — and it paved a pathway of opportunity for a wider community. “I knew very little about starting a company and my first business failed,” Rodz said in an interview with the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast. “I went back to work, paid off debts, licked my wounds for a bit, started a second company that I ultimately sold, ran it very differently with the lessons that I learned and feel very fortunate that I got to start over again because many people don’t have that opportunity. I was young and single and...