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Apple has a new app on the market. On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, the tech company introduced Apple Invites, which allows Apple device owners to create custom invitations to round up friends and family for any occasion, the tech giant shared in a news release. The app lets users invite friends from their contact list to an event, share the invite with a link, add photos to shared albums, and interact with an Apple Music playlist. “With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together,” Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of worldwide product marketing for apps and iCloud , said. “Apple Invites brings together capabilities our users already know and love across iPhone, iCloud, and Apple Music, making it easy to plan special events.” While an iCloud+ subscription, which starts at 99 cents, is required to create invites, anyone — including Android users — can RSVP and view information...
Target’s shareholders claim they were not aware of the risks posed by the company’s DEI and other social initiatives. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Target is among a growing list of major corporations that have announced they are scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. This has led to the removal of Target’s program that helped Black- and minority-owned businesses secure retail deals, and the company has stated it will no longer share reports with DEI groups. “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, according to CNN. “Belonging for all is an essential part of our team and culture, helping fuel consumer relevance and business results.” Target’s decision has been met with criticism from shoppers. Some are taking their dollars to allies such as Costco since its board of directors and shareholders agreed to continue their DEI...
Georgia Tech has removed DEI-related terms from its website. Amid growing pressure from conservative groups to dismantle diversity , equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, numerous DEI programs and commitments are being scaled back or shut down. This shift impacts the U.S. government, major corporations — including Target, Walmart, Meta, and Amazon — and higher education institutions. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, President Donald Trump has placed federal employees in DEI roles on paid leave “as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs.” Additionally, the companies mentioned above have all announced they are scaling back their DEI initiatives, and for Target, this has prompted a lawsuit from its shareholders who feel misled, notes Reuters. Georgia Tech is joining the trend by actively dismantling its DEI programs, a process initiated in 2023, FOX 5 reports. The university’s website has been updated to reflect these changes. “In 2023,...
As the rollback and termination of diversity and inclusion initiatives continue, the fourth annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala successfully raised $3 million on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, to support black-owned businesses. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, CA, attracted many notable figures from culture and business, including Keke Palmer , Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, and Jesse Williams. Prominent artists such as Amy Sherald and Mickalene Thomas were also in attendance, along with CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Rachel Scott from Diotima; Tatcha founder Vicky Tsai; model Amber Valletta; and celebrity stylists Law Roach, Wayman Bannerman, and Micah McDonald. “This is exactly the time we need to show up and continue to speak out,” Fifteen Percent Pledge Founder Aurora James said at the gala, per WWD. “Each and every one of us, our stories, our pasts, our cultures and identities, are part of the fabric that makes America great....
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league has no intention of updating its stance on DEI in the wake of Donald Trump’s return to office. President Trump retracted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts soon after taking office on Jan. 20, 2025. As a result of his early action, federal employees in DEI roles were placed on paid leave as “the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs,” AFROTECH™ previously reported. Prior to and since Trump’s appointment, major companies, such as Target, Walmart, Meta, and Amazon, have severed their ties to DEI commitments. Others, such as JPMorgan Chase, Costco, Apple, and seemingly the NFL, are making it clear they will remain steadfast in their commitment to DEI. “We didn’t get into this because it was a trend,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in December 2024. “And we’re not getting out of it because it’s a trend. We’re in it because it makes the NFL better. And what it is, is to make sure that...
The Walt Disney Co. has long positioned itself as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with a strong emphasis on representation in its storytelling and hiring initiatives. However, amid increasing political and social scrutiny, Disney’s stance on DEI has become more nuanced. While the company has not made any official statements about its current DEI direction, publicly available information suggests both continued commitment and strategic scaling back in certain areas. Disney’s Public Commitments And Ongoing Initiatives Disney has historically been a vocal advocate for diversity, integrating themes of inclusion across its programming and corporate policies. The company remains a supporter of diverse gender and sexual identities in its content, as highlighted in recent branded content initiatives with EqualPride. Additionally, its official website continues to prominently feature its DEI commitments, signaling an ongoing prioritization of these values. According to...
Entrepreneur and graphic designer Danielle Coke Balfour is pulling her products from Target shelves. Oh Happy Dani, a social media brand and online store that uses art to encourage advocacy, grew from designs Balfour started creating in February 2020 for Black History Month, according to her website. By that summer the illustrated infographics had found a larger audience for its digestible advocacy ideas around racism and equity . Today the business features a lineup of products that includes journals, cups, a workbook, and stickers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danielle Coke Balfour (@ohhappydani) Over the years, Balfour has been able to land countless collaborations with brands such as Coach, Old Navy, Adobe, Home Depot, TOMS, and more. She had also scored a partnership with Target but has recently decided to take a step away from the major retailer after it pulled back from its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. As CNBC notes, Target put an end to...
There are nuances surrounding the support of Black-owned businesses in the wake of companies dismantling their DEI efforts. Walmart and Target are among the major companies that have boldly announced they will scale back their efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. This list also includes Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Nasa. “We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers, and suppliers, and to be a Walmart for everyone,” Walmart said in a statement, according to AdWeek. Walmart’s shareholders do not align with its board of directors, expressing “deep disappointment,” as AFROTECH™ previously reported. What’s Going On At Target? Target has followed suit, placing a red light on its three-year DEI commitment. According to NBC News, the retailer will no longer send reports to an external diversity-focused group and will dismantle its...
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is like the studio album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — critically acclaimed by some, misunderstood by others, and a constant source of debate. Whether celebrated or criticized, DEI has become one of the most polarizing issues in corporate America. And let’s be honest: When companies start scaling back on DEI, it’s not just a boardroom shuffle — it’s a move that disproportionately impacts the Black community. This polarizing environment extends beyond corporate America. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump made waves with executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs within the federal government. Among these was the rescission of Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action for federal contractors, a policy originally designed to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, as well as nondiscrimination. In addition, DEI offices were defunded, DEI employees were laid off, diversity training...
NASA, an independent agency of the U.S. government, will no longer be upholding DEI efforts. In a press release, NASA shared its plans to comply with executive order “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions,” which President Donald Trump issued when he was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025. The order revoked Executive Order 13985 of January 20, 2021 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government). It also revoked Executive Order 14091 of February 16, 2023, which further advanced those initiatives, according to the White House. As a result of the recent order, federal agencies are now adhering to guidelines to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts. Looking to set an example, the Trump administration placed its federal DEI employees on paid leave as “the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs,” as AFROTECH™ previously reported. The NASA Science Mission...
The Department of Defense (DoD) is terminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at Dept. of Defense,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on X. “The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays.” The post included a handwritten note that said, “Those who do not comply will no longer work here.” The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at @DeptofDefense . The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays. pic.twitter.com/KwRtxYRIbG — Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 26, 2025 On Monday, Jan. 19, 2025, the first day of his second presidency, President Donald Trump signed a record number of executive orders — including one terminating all federal DEI programs, AFROTECH™ previously reported. The order mandated the closure of all DEI offices and placed all government employees in those offices on paid leave. Charles...
Rutgers University has canceled its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conference following changes in the White House administration. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, President Donald Trump placed federal employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles on paid leave that went into effect immediately and “no later than 5:00pm EST” on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. This followed Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 as “the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs,” CNN reported . Now Rutgers University, a predominantly white institution, has stated they have been asked to “cease all work under the auspices of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility HUB at Jobs for the Future, which the U.S. Department of Labor funds,” NorthJersey.com reports. This was confirmed by the school’s spokesperson, who stated it “was canceled at the direction of the U.S. Department of Labor, which ceased all work that it funds through the Jobs for the...
Addressing the talent gap is essential to mitigating cybersecurity risks effectively. The United States has seen a wave of cybersecurity attacks over the years. In 2024, The Guardian reported that Volt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group, infiltrated the networks of critical infrastructure organizations, including aviation, rail, mass transit, highways, maritime, pipelines, water, and sewage systems. U.S. intelligence revealed that the group had maintained access to some victim IT environments for over five years. Among the high-profile incidents, MGM Resorts faced a staggering $100 million loss. They were hit with cybersecurity attacks, leading them to shut down their systems in September 2023 “to mitigate risk to customer information,” according to NBC News. This meant workers could not access company emails, slot machines were inaccessible, and some customers could no longer enter their hotel rooms. Despite these measures, the hackers were still able to retrieve sensitive...
Costco shareholders want to uphold DEI policies. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Costco’s board of directors has requested that its shareholders reject a proposal introduced by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The NCPPR argues that upholding DEI efforts should not be permitted due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action in June 2023. The ruling struck down race-conscious affirmative action across colleges and universities, NPR notes. However, Costco’s board of directors contends that the NCPPR has an agenda of “abolishing diversity initiatives,” and its critique of Costco’s DEI policy “reflects a policy bias,” according to Fox Business. “Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers. Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics: For our employees, these efforts are built...
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is not backing down from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. According to Business Insider, Dimon confirmed that the financial services firm will continue to advance its DEI efforts and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) policies despite pressure from the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), a conservative nonprofit organization. The NLPC has proposed that JPMorgan reevaluate how executive compensation is linked to the company’s racial equity goal. “Bring them on,” Dimon told CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community, the Hispanic community, the LGBT community , the veterans community.” In 2020, JPMorgan launched a $30 billion program to promote racial equity in personal finance, which included mortgage refinancing and partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities . The bank also launched an “accountability framework” to...