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The consumer boycott against Target will continue, according to Rev. Jamal Bryant. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Target’s retraction of its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments — which included ending a program designed to highlight Black and minority-owned businesses — impacted the company. Shareholders filed a lawsuit and Rev. Bryant led a 40-day consumer boycott, garnering over 200,000 sign-ups. The major retailer subsequently experienced a decline in its stock for at least eight consecutive weeks. “When we started this Target fast, … a Fortune 500 company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange at $138 a share. Because of how it is, that stridently you have put your hand to the plow, their stock started at $138 a share. As of Friday, it is down to $94 a share,” Bryant said Sunday, April 20, at his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, GA, reports The Christian Post. Furthermore, Target’s foot traffic decreased year over year...
PepsiCo representatives met with civil rights leaders from the National Action Network (NAN) after Reverend Al Sharpton threatened to lead a boycott over the company’s decision to scale back parts of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives . After sending a letter to the food and beverage brand on April 4, 2025, outlining details of the intended boycott, Sharpton issued a statement on Tuesday, April 15, saying that he and several members of NAN had a “constructive conversation” lasting over an hour with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and PepsiCo North America CEO Steven Williams. During the meeting at PepsiCo’s global headquarters in Purchase, NY, they had a chance “to discuss our grievances over reports they were rolling back nearly $500 million in DEI commitments .” “We agreed to follow up meetings within the next few days,” Sharpton wrote. “After that continued dialogue, NAN Chairman Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and I, both former members of the company’s African...
Target’s foot traffic has taken another decline amid a 40-day boycott. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the retailer reversed its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, dismantling a program that helped Black and minority-owned businesses secure shelf space. Additionally, the company is no longer required to submit reports to external diversity-focused groups. “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.” This comes as other major companies , like Walmart , have removed race and gender as factors for granting supplier contracts. McDonald’s also discontinued its...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Elon Musk and his DOGE agency continue to make cuts and layoffs across the federal government despite voter’s outspoken opposition. They’ve taken their frustration out on Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, by boycotting the brand. Voters across the country have been attending town halls with both Republican and Democratic leaders to voice their concerns about Musk’s involvement in the federal government as an unelected official. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been laid off as a result of DOGE cuts, with several thousand being reinstated as a result of an order from a federal judge . For the past few weeks, protestors have been throwing eggs and vandalizing Tesla cars—especially the cyber truck, which has been ridiculed for its unfinished, robotic appearance. They’ve set fire to Tesla service centers and announced a general boycott of the company. The boycott isn’t just a domestic...
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...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Just two weeks into his presidency, the Trump administration has already decreed several executive orders to undo much of former President Joe Biden’s work in the past four years. As many predicted, President Donald Trump has come after DEI initiatives , signing an executive order to remove all DEI programs within the Federal government. Corporations like JP Morgan Chase & Co, Costco , and Goldman Sachs have all stated that they plan to retain their corporate DEI programs and continue with business as usual. However, other big retailers like Walmart , Meta, McDonald’s, and Target have rolled back their previous DEI promises in accordance with the Trump administration. In recent years, corporate DEI initiatives have faced increasing attacks, with right-wing critics arguing that efforts to promote diversity are discriminatory against white people. Many corporations began implementing diversity,...
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...
Pryce Yebesi has raised new funding in his next era as a founder. Yebesi co-founded Utopia Labs at the age of 21 alongside Kaito Cunningham (CEO), Jason Chong, and Alexander Wu. The venture offered crypto payments and crypto treasury management, and was “trusted by leading DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) and crypto companies to streamline operations, manage payroll, and consolidate financial reporting,” as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Yebesi also dropped out of college to focus on Utopia Labs, which had been supported by a $1.5 million raise in 2021 and was later acquired by Coinbase in November 2024. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, Yebesi then began working as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and through his observations he recognized small business owners were challenged by accounting software. This prompted the launch of a new brainchild in the fintech space, Open Ledger, which was established with the help of...
For Los Angeles Lakers fans, one of this season’s highlights has been reveling in the groundbreaking father-son duo of LeBron and Bronny James this past season, as the pair have made history playing beside one another. Now, LeBron’s youngest son Bryce may be on pace to join them, as he has officially announced his intention to play for the University of Arizona ‘s Wildcats this coming fall. Bryce James was voraciously pursued by several appealing Pac-12 schools over the last few weeks, with the Tucson-based school apparently offering the most compelling welcome package. The rising star’s choice was commended with comments from numerous NBA legends, including Kevin Durant, Jamal Crawford, Rachel Nichols and of course, LeBron himself. Bryce’s older brother famously played just one season with his college of choice before declaring for the NBA draft , meaning we could potentially see a triumvirate of players from the prolific James family as early as 2027. So, let’s take a moment to...
Kawana Jefferson is living out her dreams with three hospitality ventures under her belt. The Virginia State University alum began her journey into hospitality during her college years, taking on roles like bartending and hosting, as reported by MadameNoire. While her early experiences hinted at a career in hospitality, Jefferson ultimately pursued psychology, earning a Bachelor’s degree in the field in 2003 and a Master of Science in school psychology in 2011, her LinkedIn mentions. Jefferson spent eight years working as a school psychologist, but she also maintained an aspiration to become a businesswoman and venture into the restaurant space. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit inside of me and hospitality spoke to me. It was something that I’ve always wanted to do. It was kind of like an itch that just wouldn’t go away. So I just took the leap of faith,” she said, according to the outlet. Sweet Brooklyn Bar And Gril In 2016, Jefferson became the proud owner of Sweet...
It’s a beautiful thing to be creative and paid. Black people drive culture around the globe. I t isn’t a secret. Yet, when it comes to the proper credit and compensation the conversation is strikingly different. In a recent study, MSL Group, a PR firm, revealed that there is a 35% pay gap between white and Black content creators, with the latter group making a significantly lower amount than their white counterparts in the content creation space. Day 2 of the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference kicked off on Nov. 14 with a discussion between creatives Imani Ellis, founder and CEO of The Creative Collective NYC, known for its annual CultureCon, and Shannae Ingleton Smith, co-creator of influencer agency Kensington Grey, for a discussion called “The Business of Creativity.” As founders, the pair have a firsthand account of life in America as content creators, and they’ve developed platforms that pour into Black creatives. Whether it’s through time and energy, resources, etc., they’re on a...
Election season can be one of the most exciting and anxiety-inducing times in America. Every four years, two major party candidates campaign to become the next leader of the free world, along with lesser known independent candidates. This election’s major candidates are current Vice President Kamala Harris as a Democrat and former President Donald Trump as a Republican. Regardless of candidate choice, one critical component of the democratic process is access to voting. Throughout U.S. history, voting has not always been a right for everyone, particularly for women and people of color. Slowly but surely, change began to take hold. The journey toward voting rights for Black Americans began with the 14th Amendment in 1868, granting citizenship to formerly enslaved people. This was followed by the 15th Amendment in 1870, which prohibited racial restrictions on voting. However, barriers like poll taxes and literacy tests persisted, limiting true access. The 1965 Voting Rights Act,...
A Black woman is leading the establishment of New York City, NY ‘s first HBCU Early College Prep High School, a groundbreaking initiative developed in partnership with the historically Black college from which she graduated. Dr. Asya Johnson, chancellor’s master principal of NYC Public Schools, is a passionate advocate for racial justice and educational equity with over 16 years of educational experience. A proud Delaware State University alumna , she stated that the prep high school aims to “bridge the accelerated academics of a rich tradition of HBCU experience,” Waymaker Journal reported . She is now paving the way for a new generation to follow in her footsteps. The HBCU Early College Prep High School will open in Southeast Queens in September 2025, fast-tracking NYC Public School students’ path to college. They will be able to start receiving college credits as early as ninth grade and graduate high school with a diploma, a tuition-free associate’s degree, and guaranteed...
2 Chainz’s footprint in the food industry is steadily growing. The rapper founded Esco Restaurant & Tapas, established in Atlanta, GA , in 2016, alongside his business partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard, per Franchise Times. The restaurant transforms into a lounge by the evening, and it also includes a gold Mercedes Benz DJ booth, which was among the “unique ideas” 2 Chainz contributed to the business. “There’s a great level of trust involved between us,” Dillard said, per Franchise Times. As for the main attraction at Esco Restaurant & Tapas, customers can look forward to menu items that include fish and grits, gumbo bowl, twin lobster tails, and brunch items like red velvet waffles with chicken. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Esco Lounge and Restaurant (@escobaratlanta) The business model appears to be a success. Since opening the first location, the business has grown to three locations across Georgia and locations in Ohio and Tennessee, per the company website. The...
Amaya Woodley is the proud owner of an indoor cycling studio. Woodley recalled falling in love with cycling after a former coworker invited her to a class in 2017. When the pandemic hit, she purchased a bike for her home but missed being surrounded by the community. That feeling drove her to open Adrenaline+ in her hometown. It is one of the few Black-owned cycling studios in Charlotte, NC, Woodley told AFROTECH™. She opened the studio in 2023 with her co-founders: her uncle Darrell Harding, aunt Heather Harding, and her husband Theo. Together, they self-funded the boutique studio. “It was a dream that I had, but I didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did,” Woodley, Adrenaline+, co-founder and CEO, told AFROTECH™. “There was such a need for a space like that in Charlotte, especially for Black people, people of color, who were seeking a safe space to show up as their authentic self and still get a workout and be seen and have a good time.” View this post on Instagram A post...